Love

In Sherwood lived stout Robin Hood

by Anonymous (Elizabethan songs) c. 1588–1630

From Lyrics from the Song-Books of the Elizabethan Age, ed. A. H. Bullen (London: Nimmo, 1891)

Love

In Sherwood lived stout Robin Hood,
An archer great, none greater,
His bow and shafts were sure and good,
Yet Cupid's were much better;
Robin could shoot at many a hart and miss,
Cupid at first could hit a heart of his.
Hey, jolly Robin Hood, ho jolly Robin Hood,
Love finds out me
As well as thee,
To follow me to the green-wood.

A noble thief was Robin Hood,
Wise was he could deceive him;
Yet Marian in his bravest mood
Could of his heart bereave him:
No greater thief lies hidden under skies,
Than beauty closely lodged in women's eyes.
Hey, jolly Robin, &c.

An outlaw was this Robin Hood,
His life free and unruly,
Yet to fair Marian bound he stood
And love's debt paid her duly:
Whom curb of strictest law could not hold in,
Love to obedience with a wink could win.
Hey, jolly Robin, &c.

Now wend we home, stout Robin Hood,
Leave we the woods behind us,
Love-passions must not be withstood,
Love everywhere will find us.
I lived in field and town, and so did he;
I got me to the woods, Love followed me.
Hey, jolly Robin, &c.

✦ ✦ ✦

From Robert Jones's Musical Dream, 1609.

MLA

Anonymous (Elizabethan songs). “In Sherwood lived stout Robin Hood.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-elizabethan-songs/65/.

Chicago

Anonymous (Elizabethan songs). “In Sherwood lived stout Robin Hood.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-elizabethan-songs/65/.

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