[Verse 1]
A E D A
In days gone by, when the world was much younger
A E D A
Men harnessed the wind to work for mankind
A E D A
Seamen built tall ships to sail on the ocean
A E D A
While landsmen built wheels the corn for to grind
[Instrumental]
A D A A E D A
[Refrain]
A E D A
And around and around and around went the big sail
A E D A
Turning the shaft and the great wooden wheel
A E D A
Creaking and groaning, the millstones kept turning
A E D A
Grinding to flour the good corn from the field
[Verse 2]
A E D A
In Flanders and Spain and the lowlands of Holland
A E D A
And the kingdoms of England and Scotland and Wales
A E D A
Windmills sprang up all along the wild coastline
A E D A
Ships of the land with their high canvas sails
[Refrain]
A E D A
And around and around and around went the big sail
A E D A
Turning the shaft and the great wooden wheel
A E D A
Creaking and groaning, the millstones kept turning
A E D A
Grinding to flour the good corn from the field
[Verse 3]
A E D A
In Lancashire, lads work hard at the good earth
A E D A
Ploughing and sowing as the seasons declare
A E D A
Waiting to reap all the rich, golden harvest
A E D A
While the miller is idle, his mill to repair
[Refrain]
A E D A
And around and around and around went the big sail
A E D A
Turning the shaft and the great wooden wheel
A E D A
Creaking and groaning, the millstones kept turning
A E D A
Grinding to flour the good corn from the field
[Verse 4]
A E D A
Windmills of wood all blackened by weather
A E D A
Windmills of stone, glaring white in the sun
A E D A
Windmills like giants all ready for tilting
A E D A
Windmills that died in the gales and the sun
[Refrain]
A E D A
And around and around and around went the big sail
A E D A
Turning the shaft and the great wooden wheel
A E D A
Creaking and groaning, the millstones kept turning
A E D A
Grinding to flour the good corn from the field