That o'er the green corn-field did pass, 20
In the spring time, 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, 24
With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino,
These pretty country folks would lie,
In the spring time, &c.
This carol they began that hour, 28
With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino,
How that a life was but a flower
In the spring time, &c.
And therefore take the present time, 32
With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonino;
For love is crowned with the prime
In the spring time, &c.'
Touch. Truly, young gentlemen, though there
was no great matter in the ditty, yet the note
was very untuneable.
First Page. You are deceived, sir: we kept
time; we lost not our time. 40
Touch. By my troth, yes; I count it but time
lost to hear such a foolish song. God be wi' you;
and God mend your voices! Come, Audrey.
21 ring time: season for exchanging rings (in betrothal or marriage)
34 prime: spring
38 untuneable: discordant
