Robin Hood and the Shepherd:
Shewing how Robin Hood, little John and the Shepherd fought a sore Combate.
Tune is, Robin Hood and Queen Katherine.
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ALl Gentlemen and Yoemen good,
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down a down down,
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I wish you to draw near,
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for a story of gallant bold Robin Hood
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Unto you I will declare.
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down a down down.
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As Robin Hood walkt the Forrest along,
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down a, etc.
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Some pastime for to spy,
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there was he aware of a jolly shepherd
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That on the ground did lye:
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down a, etc.
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Arise, arise, said jolly Robin,
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down a, etc.
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And now come let me see,
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what is in thy bag and bottle I say,
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Come tell it unto me:
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down a, etc.
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What's that to thee, thou proud fellow,
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down a, etc.
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Tell me as I do stand,
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what thou hast to do with my bag and bot-tle,
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Let me see thy command:
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down a, etc.
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My Sword that hangeth by my side,
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down a, etc.
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Is my command I know,
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come and let me taste thy Bottle,
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Or it may breed thy woe:
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down a,
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The Devil a drop thou proud fellow,
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down a, etc.
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Of my bottle thou shalt see,
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until thy valour here be try'd,
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Whether thou wilt fight or flee:
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down a, etc.
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What shall we fight for, cries Robin Hood.
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down a, etc.
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Come tell it soon to me,
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here's twenty pound in good red gold.
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Win it and take it thee:
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down a, etc.
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The Second Part to the same Tune.
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THE Shepherd stood all in a maze
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down a, etc.
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And knew not what to say,
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I have no money thou proud fellow,
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But bag and bottle i'le lay:
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down a, etc.
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I am content thou Shepherd Swain,
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down a, etc.
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Fling them down on the ground,
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but it will breed thee mickle pain
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To win my twenty pound:
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down a, etc.
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Come draw thy sword thou proud fellow,
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down a, etc.
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Thou standest too long to prate,
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this Hook of mine shall let thee know
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A Coward I do hate:
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down a, etc.
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So they fell to it full hardy and sore,
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down a, etc.
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It was on a Summers day,
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from ten till four in the Afternoon,
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The shepherd held him play,
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down a, etc.
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Robins Buckler prov'd his chiefest defence,
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down a, etc.
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And saved him many a bang,
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for every blow the shepherd gave,
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Made Robins sword cry twang:
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down a, etc.
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Many a sturdy blow the the shepherd gave,
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down a, etc.
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And that bold Robin found,
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till the blood ran trickling from his head,
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Then he fell to the ground:
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down a, etc.
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Arise, arise thou proud fellow,
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down a, etc.
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And thou shalt have fair play,
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it thou wilt yield before thou go
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That I have won the day;
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down a, etc.
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A boon, boon, cry'd bold Robin,
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down a, etc.
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If that a man thou be,
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then let me take my beagle-horn,
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And blow but blasts three:
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down a, etc.
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Then said the shepherd to bold Robin,
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down a, etc.
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To that I will agree:
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for if thou should blow till tomorrow morn
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I scorn one foot to flee:
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down a, etc.
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Then Robin he set his Horn to his mouth,
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down a, etc.
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And he blew with might and main,
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until he espy'd little John
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Come tripping over the Plain;
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down a, etc.
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O who is yonder thou proud fellow
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down a, etc.
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That comes down yonder hill?
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yonder is John, bold Robin Hoods man,
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Shall fight with thee thy fill.
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down a, etc.
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What is the matter says little John,
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down a, etc.
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Master come tell to me;
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my case is bad, cries Robin Hood,
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For the shepherd hath conquered me:
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down a, etc.
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I am glad of that, cries little John,
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down a, etc.
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Shepherd turn thou to me,
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for a bout with thee I mean to have,
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Either come fight or flee:
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down a, etc.
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With all my heart thou proud fellow,
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down a, etc.
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For it shall never be said
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that a shepherds hook of thy sturdy look
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Will one jot be dismay'd.
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down a, etc.
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So they fell to it full hardy and sore,
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down a, etc.
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Striving for Victory;
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I will know (says John) e're we give o're,
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Whether thou wilt fight or flee:
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down a, etc.
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The shepherd gave John a sturdy blow,
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down a, etc.
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With his Hook under the Chin,
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beshrew they heart said little John,
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Thou basely dost begin:
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down a, etc.
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Nay, that is nothing, said the shepherd,
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down a, etc.
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Either yield to me the day,
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or I will bang thy back and sides
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Before thou goest thy way:
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down a, etc.
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What dost thou think thou proud fellow,
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down a, etc.
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That thou canst conquer me,
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nay, thou shalt know before thou go,
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I'le fight before i'le flee:
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down a, etc.
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Again the shepherd laid on him,
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down a, etc.
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The shepherd he began:
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hold, hold, cry'd bold Robin,
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I will yield the wager won:
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down a, etc.
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With all my heart, said little John,
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down a, etc.
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To that I will agree:
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for he is the flower of shepherd swains
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The like I did never see:
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down a, etc.
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Thus have you heard of Robin Hood,
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down a, etc.
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Also of little John,
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how a shepherd swain did conquer them,
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The like was never known:
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down a down a down a down.
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