IT was a lover and his lass,   With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino, That o'er the green corn-field did pass,   In the spring time, the only pretty ring time, When birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding; Sweet lovers love the spring.

Between the acres of the rye,   With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino, These pretty country folks would lie,   In the spring time, the only pretty ring time, When birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding; Sweet lovers love the spring.

This carol they began that hour,   With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino, How that life was but a flower   In the spring time, the only pretty ring time, When birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding; Sweet lovers love the spring.

And, therefore, take the present time   With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino, For love is crown`d with the prime In the spring time, the only pretty ring time, When birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding; Sweet lovers love the spring.