Robin Hood and the Butcher.
To the Tune of, Robin Hood and the Begger.
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COme all ye brave Gallants & listen a while
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with a hey down down an a down,
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that are in this Bower within.
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For of Robin Hood, that Archer good,
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a Song I intend for to sing.
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Upon a time it chanced so,
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with a hey, etc.
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bold Robin in the Forrest did spy,
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A jolly Butcher, with a bonny fine Mare,
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with his flesh to the Market did hye.
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Good morrow good fellow, said jolly Robin,
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with a hey, etc.
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what food hast, tell unto me?
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And thy trade to me tell, & where thou dost dwell
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for I like well thy company.
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The Butcher he answered jolly Robin,
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with a hey, etc.
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no matter where I dwell,
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For a Butcher I am, and to Nottingham,
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I am going my flesh to sell.
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Whats the price of thy flesh, said joly Robin
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with a hey, etc.
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come tell it soon unto me,
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And the price of thy Mare, be she never so dear
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for a Butcher fain would I be.
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The price of my flesh, the Butcher replyd,
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with a hey, etc.
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I soon will tell unto thee.
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With my bonny Mare, & they are not dear,
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four Mark thou must give unto me.
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Four Mark I will give thee, said jolly Ro-bin,
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with a hey, etc.
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four Mark it shall be thy Fee,
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Thy money come count, and let me mount,
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for a Butcher I fain would be.
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Now Robin he is to Nottingham gone,
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with a hey, etc
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his Butchers trade for to begin.
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With a good intent, to the Sheriff he went,
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and there he took up his Inne.
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When other Butchers did open their meat
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with a hey, etc.
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bold Robin he then begun,
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But how for to sell he knew not well
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for a Butcher he was but young.
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When other Butchers no meat could sell,
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with a hey, etc.
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Robin got both Gold and Fee,
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For he sold more meat for one penny,
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than others could do for three.
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But when he sold his meat so fast,
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with a hey, etc,
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no Butcher by him could thrive,
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For he sold more meat for one penny,
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than others could do for five.
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Which made the Butchers of Nottingham,
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with a hey, etc.
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to study as they did stand,
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Saying, surely he was some Prodigal,
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that had sold his Fathers Land.
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The Butchers they stepped to jolly Robin,
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with a hey, etc.
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acquainted with him for to be,
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Come brother one said, we be all of one trade
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come will you go dine with me?
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Accurst of his heart, said jolly Robin,
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with a hey, etc.
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that a Brother will deny:
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I will go with you my Brethren true,
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and as fast as I can hye.
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