The Noble Fisher-Man.
Or, Robin Hood's preferment shewing how he won a prize on the Sea and how he gave
one half to his dame, and the other to the building of Alms-houses.
The Tune is, In Summer Time when leaves grow green.
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IN summer time when leaves grow green
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when they grow both green and long,
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Of a bold Out-law call'd Robin Hood,
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it is of him I sing my Song.
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When the Lilly Leaf and the Elephant,
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doth bud and spring with a merry cheer,
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This Out-law was weary of the wood-side
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and chasing of the Fallow Deer.
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The Fisher-men brave, more money have,
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than any Merchant two or three,
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Therefore I will to Scarbrough go,
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that I a Fisher-man might be.
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This Out-law called his merry men all,
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as they sat under the Green-wood tree,
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If you have any Gold to spend
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I pray you heartily spend it with me.
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Now quoth Robin i'le to Scarbrough go,
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it seems to be a very fair day,
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Who took up his inn at a widdow-womans house,
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hard by upon the waters gray.
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Who asked him, where wert thou born,
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or tell to me where thou dost fare,
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I am a poor fisher-man, said he then,
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this day intrapped all in care.
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What is thy name thou fine fellow,
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I pray the heartily tell it to me,
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In mine own Country where I was born,
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men call me Simon over the Lee,
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Simon, Simon, said the good wife,
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I wish thou mayest well brook thy name,
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The Out-law was ware of her courtesie,
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and rejoyced he had got such a Dame.
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Simon, wilt thou be my man?
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and good round wages I will give thee,
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I have as good a Ship of mine own,
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as any sails upon the Sea,
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Anchors and Planks thou shalt not want,
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Masts and Ropes that are so long,
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And if thou thus furnish me,
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said Simon nothing shall go wrong.
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They pluckt up Anchor and away did sail,
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more of a day then two or three,
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When others cast in their baited hooks,
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the bare Lines into the Sea cast he.
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It will be long said the Master then,
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e're this great lubber do thrive on the Sea,
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I'le assure he shall have no part of our fish,
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for in truth he is no part worthy.
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O Wo is me, said Simon then,
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this day that ever I came here,
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I wish I were in Plompton Park,
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in chasing of the Fallow Deer.
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For every Clown laughs me to scorn
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and they by me set nothing at all,
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If I had them in Plompton Park,
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I would set as little by them all.
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They pluckt up Anchor and away did sail
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more of a day then two or three,
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But Simon espyed a Ship of War
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that sailed toward them valourously.
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O woe is me, said the Master then,
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this day that ever I was born:
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For all our Fish that we have got;
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is every bit lost and forlorn,
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For yon french Robber on the Sea,
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they will not spare of us one man,
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But carry us to the Coast of France,
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and lay us in the Prison strong.
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But Simon said, do not fear them,
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neither Master take you any care,
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Give me my bent bow in my hand,
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and never a French-man will I spare.
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Hold thy peace, thou long Lubber,
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for thou art nought but brags and boast,
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If I should cast thee over-board,
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there's but a simple Lubber lost.
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Simon grew angry at these words,
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and so angry then was he,
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That he took his bent bow in his hand,
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and to the Ship-hatch go doth he.
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Master tye me to the Mast,
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that at my mark I may stand fair,
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And give me my bent bow in my hand,
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and never a French-man will I spare.
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He drew his Arrow to the very head,
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and drew it with all might and main,
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And straightway in the twinkling of an eye
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doth the Frenchmans heart the Arrow gain
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the Frenchman fell down on the ship-catch
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and under the Hatches here below,
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Another French-man that him espy'd,
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the dead corps into the Sea doth throw
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O Master loose me from the Mast, he said
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and for them all take you no care,
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And give me my bent bow in my hand,
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and never a French-man will I spare.
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Then they boarded the French ship,
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they lying all dead in their sight,
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They found within the Ship of War,
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twelve thousand pound in mony bright.
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The one half of the Ship, said Simon then,
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i'le give to my dame and children small,
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The other part of the ship, i'le give,
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to you that are my fellows all.
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But now bespake the Master then,
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for so Simon it shall not be,
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For you have won it with your own hands
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and the owner thereof you must be.
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It shall be so as I have said,
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and with this Gold for the opprest,
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An Habitation I will build,
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where they shall live in peace and rest.
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