In summer time, when leaves grow green, _ Down, a down, a down_, And birds singing on every tree, _Hey down, a down, a down_, Robin Hood went to Nottingham, _Down, a down, a down_, As fast as hee could dree. _Hey down, a down, a down._ And as hee came to Nottingham, 5 A tinker he did meet, And seeing him a lusty blade, He did him kindly greet. "Where dost thou live?" quoth Robin Hood, "I pray thee now mee tell: 10 Sad news I hear there is abroad, I fear all is not well." "What is that news?" the tinker said; "Tell mee without delay; I am a tinker by my trade, 15 And do live in Banburà." "As for the news," quoth Robin Hood, "It is but as I hear, Two tinkers were set i'th' stocks, For drinking ale and beer." 20 "If that be all," the tinker said, "As I may say to you, Your news is not worth a f--t, Since that they all bee true. "For drinking of good ale and beer, 25 You will not lose your part:" "No, by my faith," quoth Robin Hood, "I love it with all my heart. "What news abroad?" quoth Robin Hood, "Tell me what thou dost hear: 30 Seeing thou goest from town to town, Some news thou need not fear." "All the news I have," the tinker said, "I hear it is for good, It is to seek a bold outlàw, 35 Which they call Robin Hood. "I have a warrant from the king, To take him where I can; If you can tell me where hee is, I will make you a man. 40 "The king would give a hundred pound That he could but him see; And if wee can but now him get, It will serve thee and mee." "Let me see that warrant," said Robin Hood, 45 "Ile see if it bee right; And I will do the best I can For to take him this night. "That will I not," the tinker said, "None with it I will trust; 50 And where hee is if you'll not tell, Take him by force I must." But Robin Hood perceiving well How then the game would go, "If you would go to Nottingham, 55 We shall find him I know." The tinker had a crab-tree staff, Which was both good and strong; Robin hee had a good strong blade, So they went both along. 60 And when they came to Nottingham, There they both tooke their inn; And there they called for ale and wine, To drink it was no sin. But ale and wine they drank so fast, 65 That the tinker hee forgot What thing he was about to do; It fell so to his lot,