And when they came into the churchyard,
Marching all on a row,
The first man was Allen-a-Dale,
To give bold Robin his bow.
This is thy true love, Robin he said,
Young Allen, as I have heard say,
And thou shalt be married at this same time,
Before we depart away.
That shalt not be, the bishop he said,
For thy word shall not stand;
They shall be three times asked in the church,
As the law is of our land.
THE MARRIAGE OF ALLEN A DALE.
Robin Hood pull'd off the bishop's coat,
And put it upon Little John;
By the faith of my body, then Robin he said,
This cloth doth make thee a man.
When Little John went to the quire,
The people began to laugh:
He ask'd them seven times in the church,
Lest three times should not be enough.
Who gives this maid? said Little John;
Quoth Robin, that do I;
And he that takes her from Allen-a-Dale,
Full dearly shall her buy.