It was a lover and his lass
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General information
Lyricist: William Shakespeare
Settings by composers
- William Armiger SATB
- George Alexander Macfarren SATB (4th verse begins,"And therefore take the present time.")
- Thomas Morley SATB, SST, SAT or T solo with lute.
- Charles Hubert Hastings Parry S solo, with piano
- Eva Toller SSAATTBB
- John Whittaker SATB
Other settings possibly not included in the manual list above
- David Christmas Williams — It was a lover and his lass
Text and translations
English text
1 It was a lover and his lass,
With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonny no,
That o'er the green cornfields did pass.
In spring time, the only pretty ring time,
When birds do sing, hey ding-a-ding-a-ding;
Sweet lovers love the spring.
2 Between the acres of the rye,
With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonny no,
These pretty country folks would lie,
In spring time,…
3 This carol they began that hour,
With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonny no,
How that a life was but a flower
In spring time,…
4 Then, pretty lovers, take the time
With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonny no,
For love is crownéd with the prime
In spring time,…