The Bold Pedlar And Robin Hood
(Traditional)



There chanced to be a Pedlar bold
A Pedlar bold there chanced to be
He put his pack all on his back
And so merrily trudged over the lea

By chance he met two troublesome men
Two troublesome men they chanced to be
The one of them was bold Robin Hood
And the other was little John so free

O Pedlar, Pedlar, what is in thy pack?
Come speedily and tell to me
I've several suits of the gay green silks
And silken bowstrings by two or three

If you have several suits of the gay green silk
And silken bowstrings two or three
Then, by my body, cries little John
One half of your pack shall belong to me

O nay, O nay, said the pedlar bold
O nay, O nay, that can never be
For there's never a man from fair Nottingham
Can take one half my pack from me

Then the Pedlar he pulled off his pack
And put it a little below his knee
Saying, If you do move me one perch from this
My pack and all shall gang with thee

Then little John he drew his sword
The Pedlar by his pack did stand
They fought until they both did sweat
Till he cried, Pedlar, pray hold your hand

Then Robin Hood he was standing by
And he did laugh most heartily
Saying, I could find a man of smaller scale
Could thrash the Pedlar and also thee

Go you try, master, says little John
Go you try, master, most speedily
For by my body, says little John
I am sure this night you will know me

Then Robin Hood he drew his sword
And the pedlar by his pack did stand
They fought till the blood in streams did flow
Till he cried, Pedlar, pray hold your hand

O Pedlar, Pedlar, what is thy name?
Come speedily and tell to me
Come, my name I ne'er will tell
Till both your names you have told to me

The one of us is bold Robin Hood
And the other is little John so free
Now, says the Pedlar, it lays to my good will
Whether my name I choose to tell to thee

I am Gamble Gold of the gay green woods
And I travelled far beyond the sea
For killing a man in my father's land
And from my country was forced to flee

If you are Gamble Gold of the gay green woods
And travelled far beyond the sea
You are my mother's own sister's son
What nearer cousins can we be?

They sheathed their swords, with friendly words
So merrily they did agree
They went to a tavern and there they dined
And cracked bottles most merrily