The snows they melt the soonest when the winds begin to sing
And the corn it ripens fastest as the frosts are settling in
And when a young man tells me that my face he'll soon forget
Before we part I'll wage a bet he'll be fain to follow it yet

The snows they melt the soonest when the winds begin to sing
And the swallow flies without a thought as long as it is spring
When springtime goes and winter blows, my lad, and you'll be fain
With all your pride to follow me across the stormy main

The snows they melt the soonest when the winds begin to sing
And the bee that flew in summertime in winter it will not sting
I've seen a woman's anger melt between the night and morn
It's surely not a harder thing to melt a woman's scorn

So never bid me farewell for no farewell I'll receive
You will lie with me, my love, and kiss and take your leave
And I'll wait here till the woodcock calls and the marten takes it's wing
For the snows they melt the soonest when the winds begin to sing