US & Canada Versions: 119. Robin Hood & the Monk
[The only US version titled "Robin Hood and the Twenty Pounds of Gold" was collected from Christian Mathers (Dalton, GA) in 1933 by John Jacob Niles (see text below on this page). As Niles has admitted he has recreated ballads and songs (see Wilgus, Anglo-American Folksong Scholarship). This is likely a ballad recreation by Niles.
According to the Traditional Ballad Index: Niles 42, "Robin Hood and the Monk" (1 text, 1 tune -- another questionable JJN collection; it appears to be a modern version created from whole cloth based on a summary of the plot in Child and with a few names distorted in an attempt at disguise).
R. Matteson 2012, 2015]
CONTENTS:
1) Robin Hood and the Twenty Pounds of Gold- Mathers (GA) 1933 Niles
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Robin Hood and the Twenty Pounds of Gold- Sung by Christian Mathers of Dalton, GA, 1933
1. Ne’er trust a monk though he be mild
And wear a skirt of black
He’ll turn you to the sheriff
When you do turn your back.
2. When summer came, the skies were blue,
The May leaves fine and long,
And every forest was quite full
Of birdies' chirp and song.
3. Then Robin Hood to Lovill John
Said, "I must go and pray,
For I have never prayed a prayer
For many a livelong day."
4. Now Robin Hood should have taken men
To holp him ere he fall
Into the sheriff's jailhouse
And be beyond recall.
5. But Lovill John was all he took,
And they did part anon,
When Robin went to pray alone
In far-off Nottingtown.
6. He went into the sainties church,
And it was very fair,
And ne'er a one who prayed with him
Knew Robin Hood was there.
7. A monk who knew good Robin Hood
Made such a hue and cry,
And called the sheriff and his men
To quickly come there by.
8. Twelve men did bold Robin slay,
By one, by two, by three,
And many another wounded
As he did fight for free.
9. Bold Robin broke his two-hand sword
Upon the sheriff's haid,
"Woe be, woe be, to any smith
To make so poor a blade!"
10. "Light down, light down, fine holy man,
And let me try my sword."
And Lovill John led off his horse
Into the deep green wood.
11. "How now, how now!" the King did cry.
"My felon's in the keep.
I'll give you twenty pounds of gold
And make you wardens brave."
12. The sheriff said to Lovill John,
"Come drink and sup with me."
But late that night, when all did sleep,
Bold Robin Hood was free.
13. Then said our King, "I gave them gold,
I even gave them fee,
But Lovill John loves Robin more
Than ever he loves me.
14. "Bold Robin Hood is bound to him,
No matter what befall.
Speak no more of the fuel[1] thing,
Young John has buggered us all."
1. Perhaps "fool."