British folk song dating back at least as far as 1821. It was mentioned along with the lyrics in Blackwood`s Magazine Edinburgh of that year.

Oh the snow it melts the soonest when the winds begin to sing
And the corn it ripens fastest when the frost is settling in
And when a woman tells me my face she`ll soon forget
Before we`ll part I`ll wage a croon she`s fain to follow`t yet.

Oh the snow it melts the soonest when the winds begin to sing
And the swallow skims without a thought as long as it is spring;
But when spring goes and winter blows my lassie you`ll be fain
For all your pride to follow me across the stormy main.

Oh the snow it melts the soonest when the winds begin to sing
And the bee that flew when summer shone in winter cannot sting;
I`ve seen a woman`s anger melt betwixt the night and morn
Oh it`s surely not a harder thing to tame a woman`s scorn.

Oh never say me farewell here no farewell I`ll receive
And you shall set me to the stile and kiss and take your leave;
I`ll stay until the curlew calls and the martlet takes his wing
Oh the snow it melts the soonest when the winds begin to sing.