Francis Ireland was the pen name of Francis Hutcheson, son of the Scottish philosopher of the same name, under which he published his compositions, principally glees and catches.

Some later editions of this work ascribe it to the Earl of Mornington, but there is no good reason to believe the earlier attribution erroneous.

Lyrics: Anon, probably the composer

Return, return my lovely maid,
For summer's pleasures pass away;
The trees' green liv'ries 'gin to fade
And Flora's treasures all decay.

No more at ev'ntide waileth sweet
Sad Philomel the woods among;
Nor lark the rising morn doth greet.
Return, my love, thou stay'st too long.