Robin Hood and the Bishop; SHEWING [Ho]w Robin Hood went to an Old Womans House, and changed Cloaths with her, to escape from the Bi- shop; and how he robbed him of all his Gold, and made him Sing Mass.
To the Tune of, Robin Hood and the Stranger.
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COme Gentlemen all, and listen a while,
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with a hey down, down an a down,
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And a story Ile to you unfold,
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ile tell you how Robin Hood served the Bishop
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When he robbd him of his Gold.
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As it fell out of a Sun-shining day,
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with a hey, etc.
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When Phoebus was in her prime,
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that Robin Hood that Archer good,
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In mirth would spend some time.
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And as he walked the Forrest along,
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with a hey, etc.
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Some pastime for to spy,
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there was he aware of a proud Bishop,
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And all his company.
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O what shall I do, said Robin Hood then,
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with a hey, etc.
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If the Bishop he doth take me,
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no mercy hel shew me I know,
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[B]ut hanged shall I be.
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Then Robin was stout, and turnd him about,
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with a hey, etc.
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And a little House there did he spy,
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and to an old Wife, for to save his life,
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He aloud began to cry.
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Why who art thou, said the old woman,
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with a hey, etc.
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Come tell it to me for good,
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I am an Out-Law, as many do know,
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My name it is Robin Hood.
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And yonders the Bishop and all his Men,
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with a hey, etc.
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And if that I taken be,
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then day and night, hel work my spight,
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And hanged I shall be.
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If thou be Robin Hood, then said the Old woman,
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with a hey, etc.
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As thou dost seem to be,
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Ile for thee provide, and thee I will hide
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From the Bishop and his company.
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For I remember one Saturday night,
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with a hey, etc.
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Thou bought me both shoes and hose,
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therefore Ile provide, thy person to hide,
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And keep thee from thy Foes.
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Then give me soon thy Coat of Grey,
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with a hey, etc.
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And take thou the Mantle of Green,
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thy Spindle and twine unto me resign,
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And take thou my Arrows so keen.
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ANd when that Robin Hood was thus arrayd
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with a hey down, down a an down,
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He went straight to his company,
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with his Spindle and Twine, he oft lookd behind
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For the Bishop and his Company.
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O who is yonder quoath little John,
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with a hey, etc.
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That now comes over the Lee,
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an Arrow I will at her let fly,
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So like an old Witch looks she,
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O hold thy hand; hold thy hand, said Robin then,
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with a hey, etc.
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And shoot not thy arrows so keen,
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I am Robin Hood, thy master good,
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And quickly it shall be seen.
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The Bishop he came to the old womans house,
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with a hey, etc.
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And he called with furious mood
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come let me soon see, and bring unto me,
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That Traytor Robin Hood.
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The old woman he set on a milk white Steed
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with a hey, etc.
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Himself on a dapple Grey,
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and for joy he had got Robin Hood,
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He went laughing all the way.
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But as they were riding the Forrest along,
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with a hey, etc.
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The Bishop he chanced for to see.
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a hundred brave bow-men bold,
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Stand under the [Green]-wood tree.
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O who is [yonder the Bishop then said,
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with a hey, etc.
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Thats ranging within yonder wood
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marry says the old woman I think it to be
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A man calld Robin Hood.]
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Why who are thou, the Bishop he said,
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with a hey, etc.
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Which I have here with me?
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why I am a woman, thou Cuckoldy Bishop,
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Lift up my Leg and see.
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Then woe is me the Bishop he said,
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with a hey, etc.
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That ever I saw this day,
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he turned him about, but Robin Hood so stout
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Calld him and bid him stay.
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Then Robin took hold of the Bishops horse,
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with a hey, etc.
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And tyd him fast to a Tree,
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then little John smild his Master upon,
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For joy of his company.
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Robin Hood took his Mantle froms back,
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with a hey, etc.
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And spread it upon the ground,
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and out of the Bishops Portmantle he,
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Soon told five hundred pound.
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Now let him go, said Robin Hood,
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with a hey, etc.
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Said little John that may not be,
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for I vow I protest he shall sing us a Mass,
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Before that he go from me.
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Then Robin Hood took the Bishop byth hand,
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with a hey, etc
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And bound him fast to a Tree,
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and made him sing a Mass God-wot,
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To him and his Yeomandry.
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And when they brought him thorow the wood,
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with hey down, down an a down,
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And set him on his da[pple Grey,]
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and gave the Tayl [within his hand,]
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And bad him for Ro[bin Hood pray.]
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