Martin Carthy And Dave Swarbrick - Ball O'Yarn lyrics

In the merry month of May when the birds begin to play I took a walk quite early in the morning. There I met a pretty maid, she was knitting all of her trade, And I asked her, could I wind her ball of yarn. Oh no kind sir, she said, we are strangers, you and I, It's [then*] ye might have any other darling. And besides I've friends in town, they have money all bright in store And it's there they wind me little ball of yarn. I put me arm around her waist and I gently laid her down, I meant to do this fair maid no harm. In the middle of the green, where I knew I would be seen, It was there I winded up her ball of yarn. So come all you fair young maidens and a warning take be me Don't take your walk so early in the morning. Where the blackbird and the thrush they are singing all in yon bush Keep your hand all on your little ball of yarn. *I can't get this word. It sounds more like "nan" but this doesn't make sense. Help!