Robin Hood and the Pedlar- Grover (ME) 1941 REC
[From LC/AAFS, rec. No. 4607 (A1). Also in Grover, n.d., p. 78; Bronson 8. Collected/recorded by Mrs. Sidney Robertson Cowell.
R. Matteson 2015]
"Robin Hood and the Pedlar" - Sung by Mrs. Carrie Grover, Gorham, Me., 1941.
1. 'Tis of a pedlar, a pedlar trim,
A pedlar trim he seemed to be,
He strapped his pack all on his back,
And he went linkin' o'er the lea.
2. He met two men, two troublesome men,
Two troublesome men they seemed to be,
And one of them was bold Robin Hood,
And the other Little John so free.
3. What have you there? cries bold Robin Hood,
What have you there, pray tell to me?
I have six bolts of the gay green silk
And silken bowstrings two or three.
4. If you have six bolts of the gay green silk
And silken bowstrings two or three,
Then, by my faith, cried bold Robin Hood,
The half of them belong to me.
5. The pedlar he took off his pack,
He hung it low down by his knee,
Saying, The man who beats me three feet from that,
The pack and all, it shall go free.
6. Bold Robin Flood drew his nut-brown sword,
The pedlar he drew out his brand,
They fought until they both did sweat:
Oh pedlar, pedlar, stay your hand.
7. O fight him, Master, cried Little John,
O fight him, Master, and do not flee!
Now by thy faith, cried the pedlar trim,
'Tis not to either he or thee.
8. What is your name? cried bold Robin Hood,
What is your name, pray tell to me?
No, not one word, cried the pedlar trim,
Till both your names you tell to me.
9. The one of us is bold Robin Hood,
The other Little John so free.
Oh, now I have it at my good will
Whether my name I'll tell to thee.
10. I am Gamble Gold of the Gay Green Woods,
Far far beyond the raging sea.
I killed a man on my father's land,
And was forced-to leave my own countery.
11. If you're Gamble Gold of the Gay Green Woods,
Far far beyond the raging sea,
Then you and I are sister's sons,
What nearer cousins can we be?
12. They sheathed their swords with friendly words,
And so like brothers did agree,
Then unto an ale-house in the town,
Where they cracked bottles merrily.