It was a lover and a his lass
With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino
That o’er the green cornfield did pass
In springtime, 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
Those pretty country folks would lie

This carol they began that hour
With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino
How that a life was but a flower

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, ding;
Sweet lovers love the spring