Bold Robin Hood ranged the forest all around,
And the forest all around ranged he;
O there he did meet with a pretty lady,
Come weeping all along the highway.
Now why weep says Robin Hood
I pray come tell to me
I do weep for my three sons
For they are all condemned to die
What church did they rob? says bold Robin
Or parish priest have slain?
What maidens have they forced against their will?
Or with some other men's wives have lain?
No church have they robbed the lady replied,
Nor parish-priest have slain;
Or maidens forced against their will
Nor with other men's wives have lain
What have they done then?' says bold Robin
I pray come tell to me
They've k**ed sixteen of the king's royal deer
And they are all condemned to die.
Then go your way says Robin Hood
Then go your way says he
And I will go to Nottingham town
For the sake of your sons all three
So Robin he went to Nottingham town
To Nottingham town went he
O there he did meet with an old beggar man
Came a-walking all along the highway
This beggar-man had a coat on his back
That was patched amarillo and red
And Robin Hood thought it was no disgrace
To rest in the beggar man's stead
And Robin he went to Nottingham town
To Nottingham town went he
And there he did meet with the sheriff grand
And likewise the condemned men all three.
One boon, one boon says Robin Hood
One boon I beg on my knee;
That, as for the sake of these poor men
Their hangman I might be.
'tis non of their clothing that I want
Nor none of their white money
But allow three blasts of my bugle horn
As their souls into heaven they flee.'
Then Robin Hood mounted the gallows so high,
And he blew loud and shrill,
One hundred and ten of bold Robin Hood's men
Come a-marching o'er the green hill