Robin Hood and the Bishop of Hereford (Child Balld No. 144B)

by: Anonymous (Author) , Francis James Child (Editor)

from: The English and Scottish Popular Ballads  1882-1889

Some talk of lords, and some talk of lairds,
   And some talk of barrons bold,
But I'll tell you a story of bold Robin Hood,
   How he robbed the Bishop of his gold.

"Cause kill us a venison," sayes Robin Hood,
   "And we'll dress it by the highway-side,
And we will watch narrowly for the Bishop,
   Lest some other way he do ride."

"Now who is this," sayes the Bishop,
   "That makes so boldly here
To kill the king's poor small venison,
   And so few of his company here?"

"We are shepherds," says Robin Hood,
   "And do keep sheep all the year;
And we thought it fit to be merry on a day,
   And kill one of the king's fallow deer."

"Thou art a bold fellow," the Bishop replyes,
   "And your boldness you do show;
Make hast, make hast, and go along with me,
   For the king of your doings shall know."

He leand his back unto a brae,
   His foot against a thorn,
And out from beneath his long shepherds coat
   He pulled a blowing-horn.

He put his horn in to his mouth,
   And a snell blast he did blow,
Till four and twenty of bold Robins men
   Came riding up all in a row.

"Come, give us a reckoning," says the Bishop,
   "For I think you drink wondrous large:"
"Come, give me your purse," said bold Robin Hood,
   "And I will pay all your charge."

He pulled of his long shepherds coat
   And he spread it on the ground,
And out of the Bishops long trunk-hose,
   He pulled a hundred pound.

"O master," quoth Little John,
   "It's a very bony sight for to see;
It makes me to favor the Bishop,
   Tho in heart he loves not me."

"Come, sing us a mass," sayes bold Robin Hood,
   "Come, sing us a mass anon;
Come, sing us a mass," sayes bold Robin Hood,
   "Take a kick in the a—se, and be gone."