Robin Hood newly revivd.
To a Delightful New TUNE.
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COme listen a while you Gentlemen all,
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with a hey down down a down down,
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That are in this Bower within,
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for a story of galland bold Robin Hood
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I purpose now to begin.
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What time of the day, quod Robin Hood then,
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with a hey down, etc.
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Quoth little John, tis in the prime,
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why then we will to the green wood gang,
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For we have no victuals to dine.
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As Robin Hood walkt the forest along,
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with a hey down, etc.
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It was in the midst of the day,
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there was he met with a deft young-man,
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As ever walkt on the way.
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His Doublet was of silk, he said
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with a hey down, etc.
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His stockings like scarlet shone,
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and he walkt on along the way,
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To Robin Hood then unknown.
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A herd of Deer was in the Bend,
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with a hey down, etc.
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All feeding before his face,
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now the best of ye ile have to my dinner,
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And that in a little space.
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Now the stranger he made no mickle ado
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with a hey down, etc.
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But he bends a right good Bow,
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and the best Buck in the Herd he slew,
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Forty good Yards him fro.
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Well shot, well shot, quod Robin Hood then,
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with a hey down, etc.
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That shot it was shot in time,
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and if thou wilt accept of the place,
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Thou shalt be a bold Yeoman of mine.
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Go play the Chiven, the stranger said,
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with a hey down, etc.
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Make haste and quickly go,
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or with my fist besure of this,
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Ill give thee buffets store.
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Thou hadst not best buffet me, said Robin Hood,
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with a hey down, etc.
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For though I seem forlorn,
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yet I can have those that will take my part
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If I blow but my horn.
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Thou wast not best wind thy horn, the stranger said,
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with a hey down, etc.
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Beest thou never so much in haste,
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for I can draw out a good broad sword
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And quickly cut the blast.
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Then Robin Hood bent a very good bow,
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with a hey down, etc.
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To that shot and he would fain,
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the stranger he bent up a noble bow
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To shoot at bold Robin again.
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O hold thy hand, hold thy hand, quod Robin Hood,
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with a hey down, etc.
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To shoot it would be in vain,
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for if we should shoot the one at the other,
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The one of us must be slain.
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The Second Part, to the same Tune.
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BUt lets take our swords and our broad bucklers,
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with a hey down, etc.
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And gang under yonder tree;
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as I hope to be savd (the stranger said)
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One foot I will not flee.
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Then Robin Hood lent the stranger a blow
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with a hey down, etc.
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Most scared him out of his wit;
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thou never felt blow (the stranger said)
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That shall be better quit.
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The stranger he drew out a good broad sword,
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with a hey down, etc.
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And hit Robin on the crown,
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that from every hair of bold Robins head
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The blood ran trickling down.
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God-a-mercy good fellow (quod Robin Hood then)
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with a hey down, etc.
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And for this that thou hast done,
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tell me good fellow what thou art,
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Tell me where thou dost woon.
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The stranger then answered bold Robin Hood,
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with a hey down, etc.
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Ile tell thee where I did dwell;
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in Maxfield was I born and bred,
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My name is young Gamwel.
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For killing of my fathers Steward,
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with a hey down, etc.
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I am forcd to this English Wood,
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and for to seek an Uncle of mine,
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Some call him Robin Hood.
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But art thou a Couzen of Robin Hoods then?
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with a hey down, etc.
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The sooner we should have done,
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as I hope to be savd (the stranger then said
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I am his own sisters son.
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But Lord what kissing & courting was there
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with a hey down, etc.
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When these two Couzens did meet,
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and they went all that summers day
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And little John did meet.
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But when they met with little John,
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with a hey down, etc.
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He thereunto did say:
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O Master where have you been
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You have tarried so long away?
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I met with a stranger (quod Robin Hood then)
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with a hey down, etc.
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Full sore he hath beaten me;
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then ile have about with him (quod little John)
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And try if he can beat me.
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Oh no, Oh no (quoth Robin Hood)
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with a hey down, etc.
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Little John it may not be so,
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for he is my own dear sisters son,
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And Couzens I have no mo.
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But he shall be a bold Yeoman of mine,
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with a hey down, etc.
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My chief Man next to thee,
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and I Robin Hood, and thou little John,
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And Scarlet he shall be.
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And well be three of the bravest Out-laws
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with a hey down, etc.
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That is in the North-Country.
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if youll have any more of bold Robin Hood,
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In this second Part it will be.
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Then bold Robin Hood to the North he would go,
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with a hey down, etc.
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With valour and mickle might,
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with sword by his side which oft had bin tryd
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To fight and recover his right.
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The first that he met with was a bold Scot,
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with a hey down, etc.
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His servant he said he would be;
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no, quod Robin Hood, it cannot be good,
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For thou wilt prove false unto me.
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Thou hast not been true to Sire nor Cuz,
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with a hey down, etc.
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Nay, marry, the Scot he said,
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as true as your heart ile never part,
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Gude Master be not afraid.
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Then Robin Hood turnd his face to the East,
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with a hey down, etc.
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Fight on my merry men stout,
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our case is good, quoth brave Robin Hood,
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And we shall not be beaten out.
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The Battle grows hot on every side,
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with a hey down, etc.
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The Scotch-man made great moan,
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quoth Jockey gude faith they fight on each side,
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Would I were with my Wife Joan.
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The Enemy compast brave Robin about,
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with a hey down, etc.
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Tis long ere the battel ends,
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theres neither will yield, nor give up the field
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For both are supplyd with friends.
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This song it was made in Robin Hoods days,
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with a hey down down a down down,
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Lets pray unto Jove above,
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to give us true peace, that mischief may cease,
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And war may give place unto love.
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