Melodi: Thomas Morley - Tekst: W. Shakespeare 
 
It was a lover and his lass, 
with a hey, with a ho, with a hey nonino, 
and a hey, noni, nonino. 
That o'er the green cornfiels did pass. 
In springtime, in springtime, 
in springtime, the only pretty ring time, 
when birds do sing, hey ding-a-ding-a-ding, 
hey ding-a-ding-a-ding, hey ding-a-ding-a-ding, 
sweet lovers love the spring. 
In springtime, in springtime, 
the only pretty ring time, 
when birds do sing, hey ding-a-ding-a-ding, 
hey ding-a-ding-a-ding, hey ding-a-ding-a-ding, 
sweet lovers love the spring. 
 
Between the acres of the rye, 
with a hey ... 
These pretty country folks would lie. 
In springtime ... 
 
This carol they began that hour 
with a hey ... 
How that life was but a flow er. 
In springtime ... 
 
And therefore take the present time, 
with a hey ... 
For love is crowned with the prime; 
In springtime ... 
 
 
Fra Shakespeares skuespil 'As You Like It' ('Som man behager') 1599. Thomas Morley, som var organist i Saint Paul' s Cathedral i London og Shakespeares gode ven, skrev melodien.