Now hands to seed-sheet, boys!
  We step and we cast; old Time’s on wing;
And would ye partake of Harvest’s joys,
  The corn must be sown in spring.
      Fall gently and still, good corn,
        Lie warm in thy earthy bed;
      And stand so yellow some morn,
        For beast and man must be fed.
 
Old earth is a pleasure to see
  In sunshiny cloak of red and green;
The furrow lies fresh, this year will be
  As years that are past have been.
      Fall gently and still, good corn,
        Lie warm in thy earthy bed;
      And stand so yellow some morn,
        For beast and man must be fed.
 
Old earth, receive this corn,
  The son of six thousand golden sires;
All these on thy kindly breast were born;
  One more thy poor child requires.
      Fall gently and still, good corn,
        Lie warm in thy earthy bed;
      And stand so yellow some morn,
        For beast and man must be fed.
 
Now steady and sure again,
  And measure of stroke and step we keep;
Thus up and down we cast our grain;
  Sow well and you gladly reap.
      Fall gently and still, good corn,
        Lie warm in thy earthy bed;
      And stand so yellow some morn,
        For beast and man must be fed.