A New Ballad of
King John and the Abbot
of Canterbury.
To the Tune of The King and Lord Abbot.
With Allowance.
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I'LL tell you a Story, a Story anon,
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Of a noble Prince, and 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'll 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 repair 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 than I,
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And for thy House-keeping 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'll 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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Derry down, etc.
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And as the Sheepherd was going to his Fold,
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He spy'd the old Abbot came riding along,
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How now Master Abbot! you're 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 set 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 I must not shrink,
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But tell to him truly what he do's 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 wise Man Wit;
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Lend me but your Horse and your Apparel,
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I'll 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 and 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 than he:
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Derry down, etc.
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And the next Question thou mayest 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 same,
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Until the next Morning he rises again:
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And then I am sure you'll make no doubt,
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But in Twenty Four Hours you'll ride it about:
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Derry down, etc.
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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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All that I can do, and 'twill make your Heart 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 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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