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          -presents-
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     ROBIN HOOD'S DEATH 
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(a traditional ballad)


As Robin Hood and Little John 
Walked by a bank of broom, 
Said Robin in a mournful voice, 
"I fear approaching doom. 

"And since the day that we did meet, 
Much mirth and joy we saw; 
To many a poor man have we given 
Since we became outlaw. 

"But now, alas! these days are o'er, 
For I am taken ill; 
I must away to Kirkley Hall 
To try physician's skill." 

"Fare thee well," said Little John, 
"O master dear, farewell; 
And when I see your face once more, 
Good news I hope you'll tell." 

He is away to Kirkley Hall 
As fast as he could hie, 
But ere that he could reach that length 
He was nigh like to die. 

And when he came to Kirkley Hall 
He knocked and made great noise 
His cousin flew to let him in 
Full well she knew his voice 

"Will you sit down, dear cousin?" she said, 
"And drink some wine with me:" 
"I will neither eat nor drink 
Until I blooded be." 
. . . . . . . 

When he perceived their treachery, 
Away he strove to fly 
Out of the window, but could not, 
It was so very high. 

Then he picked up his bugle horn 
That hung down by his knee; 
He tried with all his might and main 
If he could blow blasts three. 

Then Little John heard his master's call 
As he sat under a tree. 
"I think," said he, "my master's ill, 
He blows so wearily." 

Then he is away to Kirkley Hall, 
Its doors broke open wide, 
And when he came to Robin Hood 
He knelt down by his side. 

"What shall I do, dear master?" he said, 
"That you avenged may be? 
Shall I burn cursed Kirkley Hall 
And all its nunnery?" 

"O nay, O nay," said Robin Hood, 
"I ne'er in all my life 
Burned any kirk nor any nun, 
Nor widow, child, nor wife 

"Nor shall it now be said of me 
In this my dying hour 
Upon the head of Christian folks 
Destruction I did pour 

"Now bring me here my much loved bow. 
One arrow I'll let fly, 
And wheresoe'er that arrow lights, 
There let my body lie 

"Let green grass grow upon my grave 
By my side my bow so good 
At my head a stone that all may read 
'Here lies bold Robin Hood'" 

Underneath this little stone 
Lies Robert, Earl of Huntingdon.