Thomas Ravenscroft - By a bank - текст песни (слова)

By a bank as I lay, 
 Musing on a thing that was past and gone, hey ho. 
 In the merry month of May, 
 O somewhat before the day, 
 Methought I heard at the last. 
 
 O the gentle nightingale, 
 The lady and mistress of all musick, 
 She sits down ever in the dale 
 Singing with her notes most smale,
 Quavering them wonderful thick. 
 
 O for joy my spirits were quick, 
 To hear the sweet bird how merrily she could sing, 
 And said good lord defend
 England with thy most Holy Hand,
 And save noble James our King.