When the winds go Maying,
All in the woods so green,
The village chimes,
In the good old times,
Rung out for the young May-queen.
'Twas a goodly sight
When the maidens bright,
And the lads of generous mould,
Went out with the winds a-Maying
In the merry days of old.
A-Maying! A-Maying!
Went out with the winds a-Maying
In the merry days of old!
II.
When the winds go Maying
The emerald meadows through,
'Twas a maiden freak,
Each rosy cheek
To bathe in the young May dew;
And the dainty girls,
With the dewy pearls,
Decked. their hair of the silken gold,
When they went with the winds a-Maying
In the merry days of old.
A-Maying! A-Maying!
When they went with~ the winds a-Maying
In the merry days of old!
III.
When the winds go Maying
By streamlet, grove, and hill,
Young Summer, drest
In her May-day vest,
Will gladly hail them still.
And the maidens gay
Will dance and play
With the lads of generous mould,
As they did when the winds went Maying
In the merry days of old.
A-Maying! A-Maying!
As when the winds went Maying
In the merry days of old.
