Robin Hood his Rescuing Will, Stutly from the Sheriff and his
Men who had taken him Prisoner, and was going to Hang.
To the Tune of, Robin Hood and Queen Katherine.
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WHen Robin Hood in the green Wood stood;
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derry, derry, down,
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Under the green-wood Tree,
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Tydings there came to him with speed,
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Tydings for certainty:
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hey down, derry, derry, down.
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That Will Stutly surprised [?]
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And eke in Priso[n lay,]
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Three Varle[ts that the King had hir'd,]
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Did likely [him betray.]
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I and to[morrow hang'd must be,]
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Tomo[rrow as soon as 'tis day;]
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But [before they could this victory get]
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T[wo of them did Stutly slay.]
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[When Robin Hood he heard this news,
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Lord he was grieved sore,
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Ay and to his merry men he said,
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Who altogether swore.
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That Will. Stutly should rescued be,
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And be brought back again,
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Or else should many a gallant wight,
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For his sake there be slain.
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He cloathed himself in Scarlet then,
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His men were all in Green,
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A fairer show throughout the world,
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In no plague could be seen.]
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Good Lord it was a gallant fight,
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To see them all on a row.
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With every man a good broad Sword,
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And eke a good Yew Bow.
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Forth of the [green wood they are gone
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Yea all courageously,
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Resolving to bring Stutly home,
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Or every man to dye.
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And when they came the Castle near,
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Whereas Will. Stutly lay,
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I hold it good, said Robin Hood,
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We here in ambush stay.
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And send one forth some news to hear,
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To yonder Palmer fair,
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that stands under the Castle wall,
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Some News he may declare.
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With that steps forth a brave youngman,
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Which was of courage bold,
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thus he did say to the Old man,
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I pray thee Palmer old,
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Tell me if that thou rightly ken,
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derry, derry, down,
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When must Will. Stutly dye?
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Who is one of Bold Robins Men,
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And here doth Prisoner lye:
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hey down, derry, derry, down.]
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ALas! alas! the Palmer said,
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derry, derry, down,
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And for ever woe is me,
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Will Statly hang'd must be today,
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On yonder gallows tree,
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hey down derry derry down.
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O had his Noble Master known,
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He would some succour send,
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A few of his bold yeomandre,
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Full soon would fetch him hence.
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I that is true the young man said,
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I that is true said he,
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Or if they were near to this place,
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They soon would set him free.
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But fare thou well thou good old man,
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Farewel, and thanks to thee,
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If Stutly hanged be this day,
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Reveng'd his death will be.
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He was no sooner from the Palmer gone,
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But the gates was opened wide,
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And out of the Castle Will Stutly came,
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Guarded on every side.
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When he was forth of the Castle come,
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And saw no help was nigh,
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Thus he did say unto the Sheriff,
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Thus he said gallantly,
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Now seeing that I needs must dye,
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Grant me one boon said he,
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For my Noble Master ne'r had Man,
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That yet was hang'd on Tree.
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Give me a Sword all in my hand,
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And let me be unbound,
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And with thee and thy men i'le fight,
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Until I lye dead on the ground.
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But this desire he would not grant,
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His wishes were in vain,
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For the Sheriff had sworn he hang'd should be,
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And not by the Sword be slain.
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Do but unbind my hands he says,
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I will no weapons crave,
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[A]nd if I hanged be this day,
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[Dam]nation let me have.
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[O no, no,] the Sheriff he said,
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[Thou shalt] on the gallows dye,
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[I and so sh]all thy Master too,
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[If ever in me] it lye.
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[O dastard] Coward Stutly crys,
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[Thou faint-hea]rted peasant slave,
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[If ever my Mast]er do thee meet,
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[Thou shalt thy pay]ment have.
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[My Noble master thee] doth scorn,
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And all thy Cowardly Crew,
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Such silly Imps unable are
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Bold Robin to subdue.
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But when he was to the gallows come,
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And ready to bid adieu,
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Out of a bush steps little John,
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and steps Will Stutly too
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I pray thee Will before thou dye,
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Of thy dear friends take leave,
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I needs must borrow him a while,
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How say you master Sheriff.
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Now as I live, the Sheriff said,
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That Varlet will I know,
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Some sturdy Rebel is that same,
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Therefore let him not go.
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With that little John so hastily,
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Away cut Stutlys Bands,
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And from one of the Sheriffs men,
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A Sword twitcht from his hands,
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Here Will take thou this same,
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Thou canst it better sway,
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And here defend thyself awhile,
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For aid will come straightway.
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And there they turn'd them back to back,
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In the middle of them that day,
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Till Robin Hood approached near,
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With many an Archer gay.
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With that an Arrow by them flew,
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I will from Robin Hood,
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Make haste, make haste the Sherriff he said,
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Make haste for it is good.
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The Sheriff is gone; his doubtless men,
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Thought it no boot to stay,
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But as their Master had them taught,
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They run full fast away,
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O stay, O stay, Will Stutly said,
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Take leave e're you depart,
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You ne'r will catch bold Robin Hood,
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Unless you dare him meet.
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O ill betide you, said Robin Hood,
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That you so soon are gone,
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My Sword may in the Scabbard rest,
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For here our work is done.
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I little thought when I came here,
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When I came here to this place,
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For to have met with little John,
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Or seen my Masters face.
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Thus Stutly was at liberty set,
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And safe brought from his Foe,
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O thanks, O thanks, to my Master
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Since here it was not so.
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And once again my Fellows dear,
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derry, derry, down,
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We shall in the green woods meet,
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Where we will make our bow-strings twang
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Musick for us most sweet.
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hey down, derry, derry down.
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