Robin Hood's Golden Prize:
Shewing how he Robbed two Priests of five Hundred pound.
Tune is, Robin Hood was a tall young man.
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I Have heard talk of Robin Hood,
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derry derry down,
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And of brave little John,
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Of Fryer Tuck, and Will. Scarlet,
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Loxsly, and Maid Marrion.
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hey down derry derry down,
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But such a tale as this before,
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derry derry down,
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I think was never known,
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For Robin Hood disguised himself,
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and to the wood is gone:
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hey down, etc.
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Like to a Fryer bold Robin Hood
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derry derry down,
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Was accoutred in his array,
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With Hood, Gown, Beads and Crucifix,
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he past upon the way,
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[h]ey down, etc.
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He had not gone past miles two or three,
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derry derry down,
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But it was his chance to spy
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Two lusty Priests clad all in black,
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come riding gallantly,
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hey down, etc.
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Benedicite, then said Robin Hood,
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derry derry down,
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Some pitty on me take,
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Cross you my hand with a silver groat,
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for our dear Ladies sake,
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hey down, etc.
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For I have been wandring all this day,
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derry derry down,
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And nothing could I get;
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Not so much as one poor Cup of drink,
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nor bit of bread to eat;
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hey down, etc.
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Now by my Holy dame the Priests reply'd,
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derry derry down,
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We never a penny have,
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For we this morning have been rob'd,
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and could no money save:
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hey down, etc.
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I am much afraid said bold Robin Hood,
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derry derry down,
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That you both do tell a lye,
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And now before that you go hence,
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I am resolved to try:
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hey down, etc.
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W Hen as the Priests heard him so say,
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derry derry down,
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Then they rode away amain,
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But Robin Hood betook him to his heels,
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and soon overtook them again;
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hey down, etc.
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Then Robin Hood laid hold on them both,
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derry derry down,
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And pull'd them down from their Horse,
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O spare us Fryer, the Priests cry'd out,
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on us have some remorse:
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hey down, etc.
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You said you'd no money, quoth Robin Hood
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derry derry down,
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Wherefore without delay,
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We three will fall down on our knees,
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and for money we will pray;
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hey down, etc.
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The Priests they could not him gain-say,
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derry derry down,
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But down they kneel with speed,
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Send us, O send us, then quoth they,
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some money to serve our need:
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hey down, etc.
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The Priests did pray with a mournful chear
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derry derry down,
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Sometimes their hands did wring,
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Sometimes they wept and cry'd aloud,
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whilst Robin did merrily sing;
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hey down, etc.
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When they had been praying an hours space
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derry derry down,
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The Priests did still lament,
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Then quoth bold Robin, now let us see
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what money Heaven hath us sent;
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hey down, etc.
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We will be sharers all alike,
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derry derry down,
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Of money that we have,
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And there is never a one of us
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that his fellow shall deceive:
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hey down, etc.
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The Priest their hands in their pockets put
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derry derry down,
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But money could find none,
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We'l search our selves, said Robin Hood,
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each other one by one:
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hey down, etc.
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Then Robin Hood took pain to search them
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derry derry down,
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And he found good store of Gold;
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Five hundred pieces presently
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upon the grass he told,
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hey down, etc.
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Here is a brave show said Robin Hood,
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derry derry down,
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Such store of Gold to see,
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And you each one shall have a part,
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'cause you pray'd so heartily,
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hey down
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He gave them fifty pounds a piece,
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derry derry down,
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And the rest for himself doth keep,
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The Priests durst not speak one word,
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but they sighed wondrous deep,
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hey down, etc.
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With that the Priests rose from their knees
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derry derry down,
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Thinking to have parted so;
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Nay stay, said Robin Hood, one thing more
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I have to say e're you go,
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hey down, etc.
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You shall be sworn, said bold Robin Hood
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derry derry down,
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Upon this Holy Grass,
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That you will never tell lyes again
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which way soever you pass,
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hey down, etc.
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The second Oath that you here must ta[ke]
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derry derry down,
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All the daies of your lives
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You never shall tempt maids unto sin,
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nor lye with other mens wives:
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hey down, etc.
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The last Oath you shall take is this,
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derry derry down,
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Be charitable to the Poor,
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Say you have met a holy fryer,
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and I desire no more:
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hey down, etc.
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He set them on their Horses again,
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derry derry down,
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And away then they did ride,
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And he return'd to the merry green wood,
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with great joy, mirth and pride-
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hey down, etc.
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