early, early in sweet may...the sun had not yet shown
i chanced upon a maiden fair who made a heavy moan
"why make you this heavy moan, and what does all this mean?"
but all that she would ever say was "john of hazelgreen"

"you're welcome to my house and lands, and here i do confide
that you may have my eldest son, to take you for his bride"
"i do not want you eldest son, for i am far too mean-
and i intend to bride no-one but john of hazelgreen"

he took her by the lily hand and led her to the town
he bought a sweep-tail petticoat and it did trail the ground
but silk and satin it did pale against her lovely sheen
and all the while she made a moan for john of hazelgreen

as they did ride the lengthy lane that took them from the town
out stepped john of hazelgreen, and helped his lady down
forty times he kissed her cheek, and forty times her chin
and forty times he kissed her lips as he did lead her in