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