Come listen to me, you gallants so free, All you that love mirth for to hear, And I will tell you of a bold outlaw, That lived in Nottinghamshire. As Robin Hood in the forest stood, All under the greenwood tree, There he was aware of a brave young man, As fine as fine might be. The youngster was clad in scarlet red, In scarlet fine and gay; And he did frisk it over the plain, And chaunted a roundelay. As Robin Hood next morning stood Amongst the leaves so gay, There did he espy the same young man Come drooping along the way. The scarlet he wore the day before It was clean cast away; And at every step he fetched a sigh "Alas! and a-well-a-day!" Then stepped forth brave Little John, And Midge, the miller's son; Which made the young man bend his bow, When he saw them come. "Stand off! stand off!" the young man said, "What is your will with me?" "You must come before our master straight, Under yon greenwood tree." And when he came bold Robin before, Robin asked him courteously, "Oh, hast thou any money to spare, For my merry men and me?" "I have no money," the young man said, "But five shillings and a ring; And that I have kept this seven long years, To have at my wedding. "Yesterday I should have married a maid, But she was from me ta'en, And chosen to be an old knight's delight, Whereby my poor heart is slain." "What is thy name?" then said Robin Hood, "Come tell me, without any fail." "By the faith of my body," then said the young man, "My name it is Allen-a-Dale." "What wilt thou give me," said Robin Hood, "In ready gold or fee, To help thee to thy true love again, And deliver her unto thee?" "I have no money," then quoth the young man, "In ready gold nor fee, But I will swear upon a book Thy true servant for to be." "How many miles is it to thy true love? Come tell me without guile." "By the faith of my body," then said the young man, "It is but five little mile." Then Robin he hasted over the plain; He did neither stint nor lin, Until he came unto the church Where Allen should keep his weddin'. "What dost thou here?" the bishop then said, "I prithee now tell unto me." "I am a bold harper," quoth Robin Hood, "And the best in the north country." "Oh welcome, oh welcome," the bishop he said: "That music best pleaseth me." "You shall have no music," said Robin Hood, "Till the bride and bridegroom I see." With that came in a wealthy knight, Which was both grave and old, And after him a finikin lass, Did shine like the glistering gold.