Come and listen, you gentlemen all,
Hey down, down, an a down,
That mirth do love for to hear,
And a story true Ile tell unto you,
If that you will but draw near.
In elder times, when merriment was,5
And archery was holden good,
There was an outlaw, as many do know
Which men called Robin Hood.
Upon a time it chanced so
Bold Robin was merry disposed,10
His time to spend he did intend,
Either with friend or foes.
Then he got upon a gallant brave steed,
The which was worth angels ten,
With a mantle of green, most brave to be seen,15
He left all his merry men.
And riding towards Nottingham,
Some pastime for to 'spy,
There was he aware of a jolly beggàr,
As ere he beheld with his eye.20
An old patcht coat the beggar had on,
Which he daily did use to wear;
And many a bag about him did wag,
Which made [Robin] to him repair.
"God speed, God speed," said Robin Hood,25
"What countryman? tell to me:"
"I am Yorkshire, sir; but, ere you go far,
Some charity give unto me."
"Why, what wouldst thou have?" said Robin Hood,
"I pray thee tell unto me:"30
"No lands nor livings," the beggar he said,
"But a penny for charitie."
"I have no money," said Robin Hood then,
"But [am] a ranger within the wood;
I am an outlaw, as many do know,35
My name it is Robin Hood.
"But yet I must tell thee, bonny beggàr,
That a bout with [thee] I must try;
Thy coat of gray, lay down I say,
And my mantle of green shall lye by."40