Lyrics:

Traditional

Oh, the snow it melts the soonest when the winds begin to sing
And the corn it ripens fastest when the frosts are setting in
And when a woman tells me my face she'll soon forget
Before we part I want to croon, she's fain to follow yet.

Oh, the snow it melts the soonest when the wind begins to sing
And the swallow skims without a thought as long as it is spring
But when spring goes and winter grows, my loss and you'll be fain
For all your pride to follow me across the stormy main.

Oh, the snow it melts the soonest when the winds begin to sing
And the bee that flew when summer shone, in winter cannot sting
I've seen a woman's anger melt between the night and morn
It's surely not a harder thing to tame a woman's scorn.

Oh, never say me farewell here, no farewell I'll receive
For you shall take me to the stiled and kiss and take your leave
But I'll stay here 'til the woodcock comes and the matler takes his wing
Oh, the snow it melts the soonest when the winds begin to sing.