A New Song to drive away cold Winter,
Between Robin Hood and the jovial Tinker.
How Robin by a wile, the Tinker did cheat,
But at the length as you shall hear, the Tinker did him beat,
Where by the same, they did then agree,
They after liv'd in love and unity ,
To the Tune of, In Summer time .
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I N summer time when leaves grow gren
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down, a down, a down ,
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And Birds sing on every tree,
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hey down, a down, a down ,
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Robin Hood went to Nottingham ,
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down, a down, a down ,
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As fast as he could dree.
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hey down, a down, a down .
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And as he came to Nottingham ,
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a Tinker he did meet,
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And seeing him a lusty blade,
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he did him kindly greet.
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Where dost thou live quod Robin Hood ,
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I pray thee now me tell,
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Sad news I hear there is abroad,
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I fear all is not well.
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What is that news the Tinker said,
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tell me without delay,
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I am a Tinker by my trade,
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and do live at B anburay .
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As for the news quoth Robin Hood ,
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it is but as I hear
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Two tinkers they were set i'th stocks,
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for drinking ale and beer.
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If that be all the Tinker said,
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as I may say to you,
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Your news it is not worth a fart,
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since that they all be true.
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For drinking of good ale and beer,
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you will not loose your part,
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No by my faith quoth Robin Hood ,
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I love it with all my heart.
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What news abroad, quoth Robin Hood ,
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tell me what thou dost hear,
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Being thou goest from town to town,
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some news thou need not fear.
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All the news the tinker said,
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I hear, it is for good,
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It is to seek a bold Out-law,
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which they call Robin Hood .
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I have a warrant from the King,
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to take him where I can,
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If you can tell me where he is,
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I will make you a man,
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The King would give an hundred pound,
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that he could but him see,
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And if we can but now him get,
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it will serve you and me.
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Let me see that warrant, said Robin Hood .
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i'le see if it be right,
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And I will do the best I can,
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for to take him this night.
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That will I not the Tinker said,
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none with it I will trust,
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And where he is, if you'l not tell,
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take him by force I must.
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But Robin Hood perceiving well,
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down, a down, a down ,
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How then the game would go,
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hey down, a down, a down ,
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If you will go to Nottingham ,
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down, a down, a down ,
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We shall find him I know,
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hey down, a down, a down ,
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T he Tinker had a Crab-tree staff,
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down, a down, a down ,
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Which was both good and strong,
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R obin he had a good strong blade,
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So they went both along,
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hey, down, etc .
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And when they came to Nottingham ,
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there they took up their Inn,
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And they call'd for ale and wine,
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to drink it was no sin.
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But ale and wine they drank so fast,
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that the tinker he forgot,
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What thing he was about to do,
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it fell so to his lot.
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That while the tinker fell asleep,
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he made then haste away,
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And left the tinker in the lurch,
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for the great shot to pay.
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But when the tinker wakened,
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and saw that he was gone,
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He called then even for his host,
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and thus he made his moan,
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I had a warrant from the King,
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which might have done me good,
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That is to seek a bold Out-Law,
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some call him Robin Hood .
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But now my warrant and money's gone,
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nothing I have to pay,
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And he that promis'd to be my friend,
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he is gone and fled away.
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That friend you speak on said the Host,
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they call him Robin Hood ,
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And when that first he met with you,
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he meant you little good,
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Had I known it had been he,
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when that I had him here,
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Th'one of us should have try'd our strength
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which should have paid full dear.
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In the mean time I was away,
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no longer here i'le bide,
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But I will go and seek him out,
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what ever do betide.
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But one thing I would gladly know,
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what here I have to pay,
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Ten Shillings just I have to pay,
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i'le pay without delay.
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Or else take here my working bag,
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and my good hammer too,
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And if I light but on that Knave,
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I will then soon pay you.
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The only way then said the host,
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and not to stand in fear,
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Is to seek him amongst the Parks,
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killing of the Kings Deer.
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The tinker he then went with speed,
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and made then no delay,
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Till he had then found Robin Hood ,
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that they might have a fray.
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At last he spy'd him in a Park,
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hunting then of the Deer,
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What Knave is that, quoth Robin Hood ,
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that doth come me so near,
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No Knave, no knave, the tinker said,
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and that you soon shall know,
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Whether of us hath done most wrong,
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my Crab-tree staff shall show.
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Then Robin drew his gallant blade,
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made then of trusty steel,
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But the tinker he laid on so fast,
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that he made Robin reel.
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Then Robins anger did arise,
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he fought full manfully
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Until he had made the tinker,
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almost then fit to flye.
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With that they laid about again,
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they plyed their weapons fast,
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The Tinker thresh'd his bones so sore,
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that he made him yield at last.
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A Boon, a boon Robin he cries,
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if thou wilt grant it me.
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Before I do it the Tinker said
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i'le hang thee on this Tree.
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But the Tinker looking him about,
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Robin his Horn did blow.
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Then came unto him little John ,
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and Will Scadlock too,
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What is the matter quoth little John ,
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you sit in the high-way side,
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Here is a Tinker that stands by,
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that hath paid well my Hide.
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That Tinker then said little John ,
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fain that Blade I would see,
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And I would try what I could do,
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if he'l do as much for me.
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But Robin he then wish'd them both
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they would the Quarrel cease,
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That henceforth we may be as one,
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and ever live in peace.
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And for the jovial Tinkers part
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a hundred pound I give,
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In th' year to maintain him on,
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as long as he doth live.
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In Man-hood he is a Mettle-man,
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and a mettle-man by Trade,
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I never thought that any man
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should have made me so afraid.
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And if he will be one with us,
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we will take all one fare,
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And whatsoever we do get,
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he shall have his full share.
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So the Tinker was content,
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down a down a down ,
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With them to go along,
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hey down, a down a down ,
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And with them a part to take,
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down, a down a down ,
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And so I end my Song.
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hey down, a down a down .
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