The Bold Peddler- Smithy (KY) 1912 Niles
[From The Ballad book of John Jacob Niles, 1961. This ballad has not been found in Appalachia and most US versions can be traced to Canada. It's likely this is a ballad recreation.
R. Matteson 2015]
The Bold Peddler- as sung by Aunt Etta Smithy of Corbin, KY; 1912
1. There was a peddler bold,
A peddler bold was he.
He tied his pack upon his back
And traveled the wide country,
And he traveled the wide country.
2. He met two gay young blades
Who bothered him anon,
And one of them was Robin Hood
And the other Little John.
(repeat last line of each verse)
3. "What's in thy pretty bag?
Come tell us speedily."
"It's I have silken suits of green,
By one, by two, by three."
4. "If you have suits of green
And silken suits of gray,
What ho! what ho!" cried Little John,
"It's I'11 take one away."
5. "You shall not thieve my gray,
Nor thieve me of my green,
Nor thieve me of a single strand
Of bowstring in between!"
6. Now John took out his sword,
The peddler swung his wand,[1]
And oak against the metal banged.
Said, "Peddler, hold your hand."
7. Then Robin drew his sword,
The peddler swung his wand,
And there was blood and bruises
When the peddler held his hand.
8. "What name, my peddler bold,
Come tell us quickily."
"My name I'll never, never tell
Till you two do tell to me."
9. "Yes, I am Peddler Goldy,
From a far country,
And for a drop of my heart's blood
The sheriff would give three."
10. "If you are Cousin Goldy,
Then welcome unto me.
No sheriff will e'er hold you long
Beneath the greenwood tree."
1. As I remember, "wand" rhymed with "hand."