A New Song to drive away cold Winter,
Between Robin Hood and the Jovial Tinker.
How Robin by a wile, the Tinker did cheat,
But at the length, as you shall hear, the Tinker did him beat;
Where by the same, they did then agree,
They after liv'd in love and unity.
To the Tune of, In Summer time.
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IN Summer time when leaves grow green,
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down, a down, a down,
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And Birds sing on every Tree,
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hey down, a down, a down,
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Robin Hood went to Nottingham,
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down, a down, a down,
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As fast as he could dree.
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hey down, a down, a down.
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And as he came to Nottingham,
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a Tinker he did meet,
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And seeing him a lusty Blade,
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he did him kindly greet.
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Where dost thou live, quoth Robin Hood,
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I pray thee now me tell,
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Sad news I hear there is abroad,
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I fear all is not well.
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What is that news the Tinker said,
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[te]ll me without delay:
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[I am a Tinker by my trade,
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and do live at Banburay.
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As for the news quoth Robin Hood,
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it is but as I hear
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Two tinkers they were set i'th stocks,
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for drinking ale and beer.
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If that be all the Tinker said,
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as I may say to you,
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Your news it is not worth a fart,
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since that they all be true.
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For drinking of good ale and beer,
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you will not loose your part,
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No by my faith quoth Robin Hood,
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I love it with all my heart.]
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What news abroad. quoth Robin Hood,
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tell me what thou dost hear,
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Being thou go'st from town to town,
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some news thou need not fear.
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All the news, the Tinker said,
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I hear, it is for good;
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It is to seek a bold Out-Law,
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which they call Robin Hood.
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I have a Warrant from the King,
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to take him where I can,
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If you can tell me where he is,
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I will make you a man.
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The King would give an hundred pound
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that he could but him see;
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And if we can but now him get,
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it will serve you and me.
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Let me see that Warrant, said Rob. Hood
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I'll see if it be right:
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And I will do the best I can,
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for to take him this night.
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That will I not, the Tinker said,
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none with it I will trust;
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And where he is, if you'l not tell,
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[tak]e him by force I must.
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[But R]obin Hood perceiving well,
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[down, a] down, a down,
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[How then th]e Game would go,
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[hey down,] a down, down,
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[If you will g]o to Nottingham,
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[down, a do]wn, a down,
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[We shall find h]im I know.
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[hey down, a] down, a down.
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A Crab-tree-Staff[?]
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down, a down, [a down,]
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Which was both go[od and strong,]
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down, a down, a d[own,]
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Robin he had a good [strong] Blade,
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down, a down, a d[own,]
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So they went both al[ong]
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hey down, a down,[a d]own.
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And when they came to Nottingham,
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there they took up their Inn,
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And they call'd for Ale and Wine,
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to drink it was no sin.
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But Ale and Wine they drank so fast,
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that the Tinker he forgot
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What thing he was about to do,
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it fell so to his lot.
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That while the Tinker fell asleep,
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Robin made haste away,
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And left the Tinker in the lurch,
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for the great shot to pay.
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But when the Tinker did awake,
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and saw that he was gone,
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He called then even for his Host,
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and thus he made his moan.
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I had a Warrant from the King,
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which might have done me good,
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That is to seek a bold Out-Law,
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some call him Robin Hood.
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But now my Warrant and money's gone
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nothing I have to pay,
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And he that promis'd to be my friend,
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he is gone and fled away.
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That friend you speak on, said the Host
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they call him Robin Hood,
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And when that first he met with you,
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he meant you little good.
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Had I known it had been he,
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when that I had him here,
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Th'one of us should have try'd our might
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which should have paid full dear.
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In the meantime I was away,
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no longer here I'll bide,
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But I will go and seek him out,
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whatever do betide.
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But one thing I would gladly know,
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what here I have to pay,
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Ten Shillings just I have to pay,
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I'll pay without delay.
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Or else take here my working-bag,
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and my good Hammer too,
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And if I light but on that Knave,
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I will then soon pay you.
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The only way then said the Host,
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and not to stand in fear,
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Is to seek him amongst the Parks,
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killing of the Kings Deer.
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The Tinker he then went with speed,
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and made then no delay;
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Till that he had found Robin Hood,
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that they might have a fray.
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[At last he spyd him in a Park],
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[hunting then of the D]eer,
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[What Knave is tha]t, quoth Rob[in Hood,
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that doth come m]e so near.
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No [Knave, no Knav]e, the Tinker said,
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an[d that you soon] shall know,
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Whet[her of us hath] done most wrong,
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my [Crab-tree st]aff shall show.
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Then Robin drew his gallant blade,
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made then of trusty steel;
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But the Tinker he laid on so fast,
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that he made Robin reel.
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Then Robins anger did arise,
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he fought full manfully,
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Until he had made the Tinker
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almost then fit to flye.
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With that they laid about again,
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they ply'd their weapons fast.
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The Tinker thresh'd his bones so sore,
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that he made him yield at last.
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A boon, a boon, Robin he crys,
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if thou wilt grant it me:
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Before I do it, the Tinker said,
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I'll hang thee on this tree.
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But the Tinker looking him about,
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Robin his horn did blow,
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Then came unto him Little John,
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and Will. Scadlock also.
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What is the matter, quoth Little John
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you sit in the high-way side,
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Here is a Tinker that stands by
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that hath paid well my hide.
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That Tinker then said Little John,
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fain that Blade I would see;
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And I would try what I can do,
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if he'll do as much for me.
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But Robin he then wish'd them both
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they would the qua[r]rel cease,
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That henceforth we may be as one,
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and ever live in peace.
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And for the jovial Tinkers part,
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a hundred pound I give
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In the year to maintain him on,
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as long as he doth live.
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In man-hood he's a mettle-man,
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and a mettle-man by trade,
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I never thought that any man
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should have made me so afraid.
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And if he will be one with us,
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we will take all one fare;
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And whatsoever we do get,
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he shall have his full share.
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So the Tinker was content,
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down, a down, a down,
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With them to go along,
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hey down, a down, a down,
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And with them a part to take,
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down, a down, a down,
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And so I end my Song,
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hey down, a down, a down.
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