Robin Hood his Rescuing Will Stutly from the Sheriff and his Men,
Who had taken him Prisoner, and was going to Hang him.
To the Tune of, Robin Hood and Queen Katherine.
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WHen Robin Hood in the green Wood,
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derry, derry, down,
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Under the green Wood Tree,
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Tydings there came to him with speed,
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Tydings for certainty:
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hey down, derry, derry down.
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That Will Stutly surprized was,
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And eke in Prison lay,
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Three Varlets that the Sherif had hir'd,
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Did likely him betray.
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I and to morrow hang'd must be,
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To morrow as soon as 'tis day,
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But before they could this Victory get,
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Two of them did Stutly slay,
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When Robin Hood he heard this News,
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Lord he was grieved sore,
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I and to his merry Men said,
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Who altogether Swore,
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That Will Stutly should Rescued be,
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And be brought back again,
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Or else should many a gallant Wight,
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For his sake there be slain.
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He cloathed himself in Scarlet then,
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His Men were all in Green,
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A fairer show throughout the world,
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In no place could be seen.
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Good Lord it was a gallant sight
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To see them all on a row,
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With every Man a good broad Sword,
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And eke a good Yew Bow.
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Forth of the green Wood they are gone,
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Yea all Couragiously,
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Resolving to bring Stutly home,
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Or every man to dye.
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And when they came the Castle near,
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Whereas Will Stutly lay,
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I hold it good, said Robin Hood,
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We here in ambush stay.
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And send one forth some news to hear,
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To yonder Palmer fair,
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That stands under the Castle Wall,
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Some News he may declare.
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With that steps forth a brave young man,
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Which was of Courage bold,
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Thus he did say to the Old Man,
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I pray thee Palmer Old,
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Tell me if that thou rightly ken,
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derry, derry, down,
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When must Will Stutly dye,
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Who is one of bold Robin Hoods men,
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And here doth Prisoner lye;
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hey down, derry, derry, down.
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ALas, alas, the Palmer said,
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derry, derry, down,
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And for ever woe is me;
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Will Stutly Hang'd must be to day,
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On yonder Gallows Tree,
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hey down, derry, derry, down.
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O had his Noble Master known,
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He would some succour send,
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A few of his bold Yeomandre
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Full soon would fetch him hence
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I that is true, the Young-man said,
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I that is true, said he;
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Or if they were near to this place,
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They soon would set him free.
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But fare thou well thou good Old Man,
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Farewel, and thanks to thee;
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If Stutly hanged be this day,
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Reveng'd his death will be.
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He was no sooner from the Palmer gone,
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But the Gates was opened wide,
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And out of the Castle Will Stutly came,
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Guarded on every side.
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When he was forth of the Castle come,
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And saw no help was nigh.
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Thus he did say unto the Sheriff,
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Thus he said gallantly.
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Now seeing that I needs must dye,
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Grant me one boon, said he;
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For my Noble Master ne'r had Man
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That yet was Hang'd on Tree.
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Give me a Sword all in my hand,
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And let me be unbound,
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And with thee and thy Men i'le fight,
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Until I lye dead on the ground.
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But this desire he would not grant,
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His wishes were in vain,
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For the Sheriff had swore he hang'd should be,
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And not by the Sword be slain.
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Do but unbind my hands, he says,
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I will no Weapons crave,
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And if I hanged be this day,
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Damnation let me have.
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O no, O no, the Sheriff he said,
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Thou shalt on the Gallows dye,
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I and so shall thy Master too,
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If ever in me it lye.
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O dastard Coward, Stutly cries,
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Thou faint-hearted peasant slave,
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If ever my Master do thee meet,
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Thou shalt thy payment have.
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My Noble Master thee doth scorn,
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And all thy cowardly crew,
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Such silly Imps unable are
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Bold Robin to subdue.
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But when he was to the Gallows come,
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And ready to bid adieu,
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Out of a Bush leaps Little John,
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And steps Will Stutly too.
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I pray thee Will before thou dye,
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Of thy dear friends take leave,
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I needs must borrow him a while,
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How say you Master Sheriff?
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Now as I live, the Sheriff said,
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That Varlet will I know,
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Some sturdy Rebel is that same,
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Therefore let him not go.
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With that Little John so hastily,
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Away cut Stutly's Bands,
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And from one of the Sheriffs Men,
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A Sword 'twicht from his hands.
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Here Will, here take thou this same,
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Thou canst it better sway,
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And here defend thy self a while,
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For aid will come straightway.
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And there they turn'd them back to back,
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In the middle of them that day,
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Till Robin Hood approached near,
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With many an Archer gay.
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With that an Arrow by them flew,
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I wist from Robin Hood,
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Make haste, make haste, the Sheriff he said,
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Make haste for it is good.
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The Sheriff is gone, his doubtless men
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Thought it no boot to stay,
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But as their Master had them taught,
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They run full fast away.
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O stay, O stay, Will Stutly said,
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Take leave e're you depart,
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You ne'r will catch bold Robin Hood,
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Unless you dare him meet.
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O ill betide you, quoth Robin Hood,
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That you so soon are gone,
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My Sword may in the Scabbord rest,
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For here our work is done.
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I little thought when I came here,
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When I came here to this place,
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For to have met with Little John,
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Or seen my Masters face.
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Thus Stutly was at Liberty set,
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And safe brought from him Foe,
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O thanks, O thanks, to my Master,
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Since here it was not so.
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And once again my Fellows dear,
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derry, derry, down,
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We shall in the Green-Woods meet,
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Where we will make our Bow-strings twan[g]
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Musick for us most meet,
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hey down, derry, derry, down.
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