ROBIN HOODS RESCUING WILL STUTLY.
From A Collection of Old Ballads, i. 90. The full title is: Robin Hood rescuing Will Stutley from the sheriff and his men, who had taken him prisoner, and were going to hang him, &c. To the tune of Robin Hood and Queen Catherine. The same in Ritson's Robin Hood, ii. 106.
When Robin Hood in the green wood stood,
Derry, derry down,
Under the green wood tree,
Tidings there came to him with speed,
Tidings for certainty;
Hey down, derry, derry, down.
That Will Stutly surprized was,5
And eke in prison lay;
Three varlets that the king had hir'd,
Did likely him betray.
Ay, and to-morrow hang'd must be,
To-morrow as soon as day;10
Before they could the victory get,
Two of 'em did Stutly slay.
When Robin Hood did hear this news,
Lord! it did grieve him sore;
And to his merry men he said,15
(Who altogether swore)
That Will Stutly should rescu'd be,
And be brought back again;
Or else should many a gallant wight
For his sake there be slain.20
He cloath'd himself in scarlet then,
His men were all in green;
A finer shew, throughout the world,
In no place could be seen.
Good lord! it was a gallant sight25
To see them all a-row;
With ev'ry man a good broad sword,
And eke a good yew bow.
Forth of the green wood are they gone,
Yea, all couragously,30
Resolving to bring Stutly home,
Or every man to dye.