To welcome the spring
The skylark and thrush
The birds of the bush
Sing louder around
To the bell's cheerful sound
While our sports shall be seen
On the Ecchoing Green
Old John with white hair
Does laugh away care
Sitting under the oak
Among the old folk
They laugh at our play
And soon they all say
"Such, such were the joys
When we all, girls and boys
In our youth time were seen
This might be a reference to garrulous old age; but here they comment positively, not with envy or disapproval.
The Echoing Green