Robin Hood and the Pedlar A Pedlar bold there chanced to be He put his pack all on his back And merrily trudged oer the lea By chance he met two troublesome blades Two troublesome blades they chanced to be And one of them was Robin Hood The other, Little John so free (Chorus) Gentlemen of highborn blood Gamble Gold and Robin Hood! "Oh Pedlar, Pedlar, what's in your pack? Come speedily, and tell to me" "I've several suits of the gay green silk, And silken bowstrings two, or three." "If you've several suits of the gay green silk And silken bowstrings two or three, Then, by my body," said Robin Hood, "Half your pack belongs to me!" "Oh nay, oh nay," said the Pedlar bold "Such a thing can never be! For there's never a man in Nottingham Can take one half my pack from me!" Then Little John he drew his sword, The Pedlar by his pack did stand They fought til the blood in streams did flow Till he cried, "Pedlar, hold your hand!" Then Robin Hood was standing by And he did laugh most merrily Saying "Perhaps a man of smaller scale Could thrash the Pedlar more than thee!" "Go try, my lord," cried Little John, "Go and try most speedily! There's never a man in Nottingham Can beat the Pedlar, and also me!" Then Robin Hood he drew his sword The Pedlar by his pack did stand They fought till the blood in streams did flow Till he cried,"Pedlar, hold your hand!" "Pedlar, Pedlar, what's thy name Come speedily, and tell to me, For I am called bold Robin Hood And Little John,he stands by me!" I'm Gamble Gold of the Gay GreenWood I've traveled far beyond the sea For killing a man in my father's land And from my country forced to flee" "If you're Gamble Gold of the Gay Green Wood Then my cousin you must be" We'll repair to a tavern near And bottles crack most merrily!" note: sing the Chorus after every other verse, or so. Child #132 recorded by Steeleye Span AJS
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!