Tony Rose - Robin Hood And The Bishop Of Hereford lyrics

Now some they will talk of brave Robin Hood And some of barons bold, But I'll tell you how he served the Bishop of Hereford And robbed him of his gold. Now as it befell in merry Barnsdale All under the greenwood tree, That the Bishop of Hereford was to ride by With all his company. "Come, k** a fat venison," said bold Robin Hood, "Come, k** me a good fat deer; For the Bishop of Hereford will dine with me tonight And he'll pay well for his cheer." "We'll k** a fat venison," said bold Robin Hood, "And dress it by the highway-side; And we will watch the Bishop narrowly Lest some other way he ride." So Robin he's dressed him in shepherd's attire And six of his men also; When the Bishop of Hereford did come by They about that fire did go. "Then what is the matter?" then said the Bishop, "Why make you this a-do? And why do you k** the king's venison, When your company is so few?" "Well, we are shepherds," said bold Robin Hood, "And we keep sheep all the year. And we are resolved to be merry this night And to k** of the king's fat deer." "Then you are brave fellows!" then said the Bishop, "But the king of your doings shall know. Therefore make haste and come along with me And before the king you'll go." "O pardon, o pardon," said Robin Hood, "O pardon, I thee pray! For it becometh not your lordship's coat To take so many lives away." "No pardon, no pardon," then said the Bishop, "No pardon I thee owe. Therefore make haste and come along with me And before the king you'll go." So Robin set his back all against a tree And his foot against a thorn, And from underneath his shepherd's cloak He took out a bugle-horn. And he put the little end to his mouth And a loud blast he did blow; And a threescore-and-ten of bold Robin's men Came a-running all on a row. And they all made obeisance to bold Robin Hood; 'Twas a comely sight for to see. "What's the matter then, master," said Little John, "That you blow so hastily?" "Well here is the Bishop of Hereford, No pardon we shall have." "Cut off his head then," said Little John, "And throw him into his grave." "O pardon, O pardon," thensaid the Bishop, "O pardon, I thee pray! For if I had known that it had been you, I'd have gone some other way." "No pardon, no pardon," said Robin Hood, "No pardon I thee owe; Therefore make haste and come along with me And to merry Barnsdale you'll go." So Robin took the Bishop all by the hand And he led him to merry Barnsdale. And he made him to stay and sup with him that night And drink wine, beer and ale. Then it's, "Call in the reckoning," then said the Bishop, "For methinks it grows wonderous high." "O lend me your purse, Sir," said Little John, "And I'll tell you bye and bye." So Little John took the bishop"s cloak, And he laid it all on the ground, And from out that bishop's portmantua He took three hundred pound. "There's money enough, master," said Little John, "'Tis a comely sight for to see; And it puts me in charity with the old Bishop, Though he heartily loveth not me." So Robin took the Bishop all by the hand, And he caused the music to play, And he made the old Bishop to dance in his boots, And glad he could so get away.