A New Ballad of
King John and the Abbot
of Canterbury.
To the Tune of, The King and the Lord Abbot.
With Allowance, R.L.S.
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ILe tell you a Story, a Story anon,
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Of a noble Prince & his Name was King John
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For he was a Prince, and a Prince of great might
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He held up great Wrongs, he put down great Right.
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Derry down, down hey derry down.
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I'le tell you a Story, a Story so merry,
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Concerning the Abbot of Canterbury,
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And of his House-keeping and high Renown,
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Which made him resort to fair London Town:
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Derry down, etc.
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How now Brother Abbot? 'tis told unto me,
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That thou keepest a far better House then I,
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And for thy Housekeeping and High Renown,
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I fear thou hast Treason against my Crown:
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Derry down, etc.
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I hope my Liege that you owe me no grudge,
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For spending of my true gotten goods:
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If thou dost not answer me questions three,
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Thy head shall be taken from thy Body:
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Derry down, etc.
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When I am set on my steed so high
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With my Crown of Gold upon my head,
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Amongst all my Nobility with joy and much mirth,
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Thou must tell me to one penny what I am worth:
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Derry down, etc.
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And the next Question you must not flout,
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How long I shall be riding the World about;
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And the third Question thou must not shrink;
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But tell to me truly what I do think:
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Derry down, etc.
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O These are hard Questions for my shallow wit,
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For I cannot answer your Grace as yet,
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But if you will give me but three days space
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I'le do my endeavour to answer your Grace:
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Derry down, etc.
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O three days space I will thee give,
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For that is the longest day thou hast to live,
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And if thou dost not answer these questions right,
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Thy head shall be taken from thy body quite:
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Detry down, etc.
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And as the Shepherd was going to his fold,
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He spy'd the old Abbot come riding along,
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How now Master Abbot? you'r Welcome home:
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What News have you brought from good King John.
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Derry down, etc.
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Sad news, sad news, I have thee to give,
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For I have but three days space for to live
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If I do not answer him questions three,
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My head will be taken from my body:
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Derry down, etc.
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When he is sat on his Steed so high:
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With his Crown of Gold upon his head,
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Amongst all his Nobility with joy and much mirth
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I must tell him to one penny what he is worth:
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Derry down, etc.
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And the next question I must not flout,
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How long he shall be riding the World about,
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And the third question thou must not shrink,
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But tell to him truly what he does think:
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Derry down, etc.
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O Master did you never hear it yet,
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That a Fool may learn a Wiseman wit;
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Lend me but your Horse & your apparel,
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I'le ride to fair London and answer the Quarrel:
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Derry down, etc.
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Now I am set on my steed so high,
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With my Crown of Gold upon my head,
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Amongst all my Nobility with joy & much mirth
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Now tell me to one penny, what I am worth
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Derry down, etc.
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For thirty pence our Saviour was sold,
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Amongst the false Jews as you have been told,
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And nine and twenty's the worth of thee,
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For I think thou art one penny worser that he:
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Derry down, etc.
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And the next question thou mayst not flout,
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How long I shall be riding the World about,
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You must rise with the Sun, and ride with the sam[e]
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Until the next morning he rises again:
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And then I am sure you will make no doubt,
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But in twenty four hours you'l ride it about:
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Derry down, etc.
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And the third question you must not shrink,
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But tell to me truly what I do think:
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All that I can do, and 'twill make you merry
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For you think i'm the Abbot of Canterbury;
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But i'm his poor Shepherd as you may see,
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And am come to beg pardon for he and for me.
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Derry down, etc.
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The King he turn'd him about and did smile,
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Saying, thou shalt be the Abbot the other while;
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O no my Grace, there is no such need,
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For I can neither Write nor Read.
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Derry down, etc.
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Then four pounds a week will I give unto thee;
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For this merry true jest thou hast told unto me;
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And tell the old Abbot when thou comest home,
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Thou hast brought him a pardon from good King John
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Derry down. etc.
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