I have twelve oxen that be fair and brown,
And they go a-grazing down by the town.
[ With hey! with how! with hey!]1
Sawest not you mine oxen, you little pretty boy?

I have twelve oxen, they be fair and white,
And they go a-grazing down by the dyke.
With hey! with how! with hey!
Sawest not you mine oxen, you little pretty boy?

I have twelve oxen, and they be fair and black,
And they go a-grazing down by the lake.
With hey! with how! with hey!
Sawest not you mine oxen, you little pretty boy?

I have twelve oxen, and they be fair and red,
And they go a-grazing down by the mead.
With hey! with how! with hey!
Sawest not you mine oxen, you little pretty boy?