The words date to the 16th/ 17th century and have been set to music by both Henry Purcell and William Walton.
I gave her Cakes and I gave her Ale,
I gave her Sack and Sherry;
I kist her once and I kist her twice,
And we were wondrous merry.
I gave her Beads and Bracelets fine,
I gave her Gold down derry.
I thought she was afear'd till she stroaked my Beard
And we were wondrous merry.
Merry my Hearts, merry my Cocks,
Merry merry merry my Sprights.
Merry merry merry my hey down derry.
I kist her once and I kist her twice,
And we were wondrous merry.