Robin Hood and little John, They both are gone to fair O ! And we will go to the merry green wood, To see what they to do there O ! And for to chase O ! To chase the buck and doe O ! With Hal-an-tow, Jolly rumble O !
Chorus:
And we were up as soon as any day O ! And for to fetch the summer home, The Summer and the May O ! For Summer is a come O ! And Winter is a gone O !
Where are those Spaniards That makes so great a boast O ! They shall eat the grey goose feather And we will eat the roast O ! In every land O ! The land where’er we go, With Hal-an-tow, Jolly rumble O !
Chorus: And we were up, &c. {245}
As for St. George O ! St. George he was a knight O ! Of all the knights in Christendom St. George he is the right O ! In every land O ! The land where’er we go, With Hal-an-tow, Jolly rumble O !
Chorus: And we were up, &c.
God bless Aunt Mary Moyses, And all her power and might O ! And send us peace in merry England, Both day and night O ! And send us peace in merry England, Both now and evermore O ! With Hal-an-tow, Jolly rumble O !
Chorus: And we were up, &c.
The custom is popularly attributed to the escape of the town from the threatened attack of a fiery dragon, who, in days when dragons were more common than they are now, hung in mid-air over the place, driving the inhabitants to the greenwood tree for shelter. On his disappearance the people returned with great rejoicings and to this day commemorate their fortunate escape. The true explanation is probably that the festival is simply a survival of the old celebration in honour of Flora.