Little John and the Four Beggers: Or,
A new merry Song of Robin Hood, and little John, shewing how little John went a beg-
ging, and how he fought with four Beggers, and what a prize he got of the four Beg-
gers. The tune is, Robin Hood, etc.
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ALL you that delight to spend some time,
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with a hey down down a down down.
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A merry Song to sing,
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Unto me draw near and you shall hear,
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how little John went a begging
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As Robin Hood walked the Forrest along,
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with a hey, etc.
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And all his Yeomandree,
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Sayes Robin some of you must a begging go
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and little John it must be thee.
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Sayes John if I must a begging go,
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with a hey, etc.
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I will have a Palmers weed,
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With a staff and a Coat and bags of all sorts
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the better then shall I speed.
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Come give me now a bag for my bread
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with a hey, etc.
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And another for my Cheese,
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And one for a penny when I get any
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that nothing I may leese.
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Now little John is a begging gone,
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with a hey, etc.;
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Seeking for some relief,
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But of all the Beggers he met on the way
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little John was the chief.
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But as he was walking himself alone,
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with a hey, etc.
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Four Beggers he chanced to spy,
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Some deaf and some blind, and some came behind
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sayes John heres brave company.
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Good morrow said John my children dear,
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with a hey, etc.
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Good fortune I had you to see,
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Which way do you go, pray let me know
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for I want some company.
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O what is here to do then said little John,
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with a hey, etc.
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Why rings all these bells said he?
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What Dog is a hanging, come lets be ganging
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that we the truth may see.
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Here is no dog hanging then one of them said
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with a hey, etc.
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Good fellow we tell unto thee,
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But here is one dead will give us cheese and bread
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and it may be one single penny.
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We have brethren in London another he said
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with a hey, etc.
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So have we in the Country,
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In Barwick and Dover and all the world over
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but nere a crokt Carrill like thee:
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THerefore stand thou back thou crooked carel
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with a hey, etc.
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And take that knock on the crown,
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Nay said little John ile not be gone,
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for a bout will I have with you round.
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Now have at you all then said little John,
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with a hey, etc.
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If you be so full of your blows,
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Fight on all four and nere give ore,
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whether you be friends or foes.
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John nipped the dumb, and made him to rore,
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with a hey, etc.
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And the blind that could not see,
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And he that a Cripple had been seven years
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he made them run faster then he.
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And flinging them all against the wall,
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with a hey, etc.
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With many a sturdy bang,
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It made John sing to hear the gold ring,
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which against the wall cryd twang.
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Then he got out of the Beggers-clock,
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with a hey, etc.
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Three hundred pound in gold,
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Good fortune had I then said little John,
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such a good sight to behold.
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But what found he in a Beggers bag.
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with a hey, etc.
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But three hundred pound and three,
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If I drink water while this doth last,
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then an evil death may I die.
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And my begging trade I now will give ore,
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with a hey, etc.
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My fortune it hath been so good,
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Therefore Ile not stay, but I will away
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to the Forrest of merry Sherwood.
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But when to the Forrest of Sherwood he came
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with a hey, etc.
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He quickly there did see,
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His Master Good bold Robin Hood,
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and all his company.
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What news what news then said Robin, Hood?
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with a hey, etc.
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Come little John tell unto me,
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How hast thou sped with the Beggers trade,
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for that I fain would see.
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No news but good then said little John,
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with a hey, etc.
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With begging full well I have sped,
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Six hundred and three I have here for thee
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in silver and gold so red.
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Then Robin Hood took little John by the hand,
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with a hey, etc.
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And danced about the Oke-tree,
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If we drink water while this doth last,
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then an ill death may we die.
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So to conclude my merry new Song,
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with a hey, etc.
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And you that delight to sing,
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Tis of Robin Hood that Archer good,
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and how little John went a Begging.
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