I assume these are the original lyrics. There are several small differences and a couple of significant ones. My transcription from Spotify:


THE SPRINGTIME OF LIFE
As sung by Ola Belle Reed on "Ola Belle Reed" (1975)

We fell in love on a green, grassy hillside.
In the springtime of life did we chance to meet.
Flowers are blooming; the birds are singing.
The world and its riches lay there at our feet.

So sacred and tender was young love a-bloomin'.
Once in a lifetime it happens that way.
We made our plans for the day we'd marry.
We'd keep it a secret till our wedding day.

Now, both of us knew our love was forbidden.
"Not good enough" was the words they did say,
But I wanted to marry that boy from the mountain.
Happily we planned for our wedding day.

Now, springtime had passed, then summer, then fall.
Cold winter wind brought fleecy, white snow.
No longer we sat on a green, grassy hillside.
The love we had shared was lost evermore.

For I moved away, not knowing the reason.
I waited so long for him to come.
But he did not come, then there came the message
That he'd wed another and left me alone.

Now young love in springtime on a green, grassy hillside
Could not endure the heat and the cold.
It was so strong while we were together.
Separated, it was lost like a rich man and his gold.
Separated, it was lost like a rich man and his gold.