The King and the Bishop- Ratliff (KY) c.1940s Niles
[From: The Ballad Book of John Jacob Niles; p. 109. Niles elaborate notes fail to produce the date he presumably collected this ballad. It probably was the 1930s or early 1940s. The King and the Bishop (Niles No. 19) may be a ballad recreation and it is not listed in Bronson or Edmund's study.
R. Matteson 2012, 2104]
The King and the Bishop- Rufe Ratliff (Madison County, KY) c.1940s Niles
1. The King is come to Canters town,
And loudly pulled the ring-o,
"Lord Bishop, my Bishop,
You are a pretty thing-o
You are a pretty thing-o."
2. "How do you live in such array
And make me feel so small-o,
With serving-men and draw-boys
A-swarming through your hall-o?
(repeat last line of each verse)
3. "Unless you answer well and true,
Your neck will pay the bill-o,
Or I will have you hanged
On top of Malvery Hill-o."
4. The Bishop sought a shepherd out,
Who was of wise renown-o,
Who said that in the Bishop's coal,*
He'd go to Londers town-o.
5. And when the shepherd had supped and drank
And answered all full good-o,
King John did give him of his gold
And thanked him where he stood-o.
6. "Go take this pardon quickly back
And loudly pull the ring-o,
And tell the Bishop he is free
To preach and pray and sing-o."
* 'Cowl.'