All in a Garden Green

1 All in a garden green Two lovers sat at ease,
As they could scarce be seen among, Among the leafy trees.
They long had loved y-fair, And no longer than truly,
In that time of the year, Cometh 'twixt May and July.

2. Quoth he, "Most lovely maid, My troth shall aye endure;
And be not thou afraid, But rest thee still secure,
That I will love thee long As life in me shall last;
Now I am strong and young, And when my youth is past.

3. “When I am gray and old, And then must stoop to age,
I'll love thee twenty-fold, My troth I here engage.”
She heard with joy the youth, When he thus far had gone;
She trusted in his truth, And, loving, he went on:

4. “Yonder thou seest the sun Shine in the sky so bright,
And when this day is done, And cometh the dark night,
No sooner night is not, But he returns alway,
And shines as bright and hot As on this gladsome day.

4. “He is no older now Than when he first was born;
Age cannot make him bow, He laughs old Time to scorn.
My love shall be the same, It never shall decay,
But shine without all blame, Though body turn to clay.”

5. She listed to his song, And heard it with a smile,
And, innocent as young, She dreamèd not of guile.
No guile he meant, I ween, For he was true as steel,
As was thereafter seen When she made him her weal.

6. Full soon both two were wed, And these most faithful lovers
May serve at board at bed, Example to all others.
They long had loved y-fair, And no longer than truly,
In that time of the year, In that time of the year
Cometh 'twixt May and July. 


The earliest known edition of “All in a Garden Green” was published in “The English Dancing Master” (1651) by John Playford (1623-1686), but the melody appears much earlier in “William Ballet’s Lute Book” (1594).  Playford’s dance instructions include much shaking of hands and kissing.  Less concern about germs back then, I guess, but more contact than I would have expected for that more formal time!