It was a lover and his lass

It was a lover and his lass

With a hey and a ho and a hey nonino

That o'er the green cornfields did pass

In springtime

The only pretty ring time

When birds do sing

Hey ding a ding a 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 springtime

The only pretty ring time

When birds do sing

Hey ding a ding a ding

Sweet lovers love the spring



This carol they began that hour

With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino

How that a life was but a flower

In springtime

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 crownèd with the prime

In springtime

The only pretty ring time

When birds do sing

Hey ding a ding a ding

Sweet lovers love the spring