It was a lover and 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 ringtime, 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 springtime, etc.
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, etc.
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, etc.