The birds upon their boughs did zing,
An' milkmaïds by their cows did zing,
Wi' merry sounds, that softly died,
A-ringèn down the valley zide.
By river banks, wi' reeds a-bound,
An' sheenèn pools, wi' weeds a-bound,
The long-neck'd gander's ruddy bill
To snow-white geese did cackle sh'ill;
An' stridèn peewits heästen'd by,
O' tiptooe wi' their screamèn cry;