The Echoing Green

    And make happy the skies；

    The merry bells ring

    To welcome the Spring；

    The skylark and thrush，

    The birds of the bush，

    Sing louder around

    To the bells' cheerful sound，

    While our sports shall be seen

    On the Echoing¹ Green.

    Old John， with white hair，

    Does laugh away care，

    Sitting under the oak²，

    Among the old folk.

    They laugh at our play，

    And soon they all say：

    `Such， such were the joys

    When we all， girls and boys，

    In our youth time were seen

    On the Echoing Green.'

    Till the little ones， weary³，

    No more can be merry；

    The sun does descend⁴，

    And our sports have an end.

    Round the laps of their mothers

    Many sisters and brothers，

    Like birds in their nest，

    Are ready for rest，

    And sport no more seen

    On the darkening Green.