text: It was a lover and his lass,
     With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino,
  That oer 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,
     In springtime, 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 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 crowned with the prime
     In springtime, the only pretty ring time,
  When birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding;
  Sweet lovers love the spring.