The King is out a-hunting,
A-hunting in the King's Wood;
Hang the house with bunting,
The King is riding by.

With him the Queen is riding,
A-riding to the King's Wood;
Oh, who'd be idly biding,
When the King and Queen go by?

Come lords and ladies prancing,
A-prancing to the King's Wood;
And eager eyes are glancing,
As stately they go by.

With morn they're quickly pacing,
A-pacing to the King's Wood;
The tall red deer a-chasing,
They let the day go by.

Then home they come returning,
Returning to the King's Wood;
And gallant hearts are burning
As beauty passes by.