Lily of the valley, pinned to maidens fair
The red of roses in their cheeks & garlands in their hair
Menfolk in their finery in hats and polished shoes Time to settle all
Their debts and pay what's overdue Shaking hands with
'One and all', enemies and friends Celebrating winter's end
We'll see the old year out in style,
And welcome in the new
I'll dance and sway and weave my way
Across the square to you
A-way we go with a hal-an-tow We'll dance,
And feast and sing A-way we go with a
Hal-an-tow We'll drink and toast the spring
The green man brings fertility and leads the serpentine Men and women,
Young and old our rituals combine We dance for
New life, dance for sun and dance for fortunes fair
We sow our seed ...
And a harvest we prepare We'll see the old year out in style,
And welcome in the new
I'll dance and sway and weave my way
Across the square to you
A-way we go with a hal-an-tow We'll dance,
And feast and sing A-way we go with a
Hal-an-tow We'll drink and toast the spring
Red and white the roses
Clear and bright the ale
A shilling in your purse kind sir
I wish that it was mine
The 8th of May, St Michael's Day The end of wintertime