Robin Hood & Little John- Roake (TN) 1950 Boswell
[From George Boswell Collection; Charles Wolfe editor. The informant Roake, originally from London, worked as a gardener at Austin Peay State College.
R. Matteson 2015]
"Robin Hood and Little John" - Sung by Herbert Roake; Clarksville, circa 1950.
Bold Robin Hood was a forester good,
As ever drew bow in the merry greenwood.
Bold Robin Hood and his merry, merry men,
Came tripping all down the green hill.
I swear to honor God and King,
To help the weak and fight the strong,
To take from the rich and give to the poor,
So God will help me with his power.
*** [text missing]
"How they became acquainted, I'll tell you in brief
If you will bur listen awhile.
For this very jest, among all the rest,
I think it may cause you to smile."
"Quoth bold Robin Hood, 'Thou dost prate like an ass
But were I to bend my bow,
I could sent a dart through thy proud heart,
Before thou couldst strike a blow.'"
"The stranger gave Robin a knock on the crown
Which caused the blood to appear.
Then Robin, enraged, more fiercely engaged
And followed with blows more severe.
"So thick and so fast did he lay it on him,
With a passion are fury and ire,
At every stroke he made him to smoke
As if he had been all on fire."
"The echoes of which through the valley did ring,
At which his stout bowmen appeared
And clothed in green most gay to be seen,
As up to their master they steered."
"'The infant was called "John Little,"'quoth he,
Which name shall be changed anon.
The words will transpose, so wherever he goes,
His name shall be called "Little John."
"Then Robin he took the sweet, pretty babe
And clothed him from top to roe
In garments of green, most gay to be seen,
And gave him a curious long bow.
"And so ever after as long as he lived
Although he was proper and tall
Yet nevertheless the truth to express
Still 'Little John' they did him call."