Come all you single fellows, would you like to hear a song? --
If you'll listen to my ditty I won't detain you long.
It is of a fair young maiden lived in a town of Kent:
She arose one summer's morning and she a-nutting went.

(Refrain)
  O, a-nutting she did go my boys, a-nutting she did go;
  With a blue cockade all in her hat she caused a gallant show.

There was a brisk young farmer a-ploughing up his land --
He called out to his horses and kindly bid them stand.
He set himself down on his plough a song unto begin:
His voice was so melodious it made the tenors ring.

(Refrain)

It was this same young damsel was a-nutting in the wood --
And the song was so melodious it charmed her as she stood.
She had no longer power in the lonesome wood to stay:
So what few nuts that poor girl got she threw them all away.

(Refrain)

She went to this young farmer as he sat on his plough --
She said to him, "My Johnny dear, I feel I don't know how."
He said, "My pretty fair maid, I'm glad to see you here:
Do you set yourself by the side of me and I'll keep you from all fear."

(Refrain)

Young Johnny he turned back again and finished up his song --
He said, "My pretty fair maid, won't your mother think you long?"
She threw her arms around him as she tripped along the plain:
"I should like to see the world, my dear, go round and round again."

(Refrain)