1 Stout Robin Hood, a most lusty out-law, As ever yet lived in this land, As ever yet lived in this land. His equal I’m sure you never yet saw, So valiant was he of his hand, So valiant was he of his hand. 2 No archers could ever compare with these three, Although from us they are gone; The like was never, nor never will be, To Robin Hood, Scarlet and John. 3 Many stout robberies by these men were done, Within this our kingdom so wide; Vpon the highway much treasure they have won, No one that his purse ere deny’d. 4 Great store of money they from the kings men Couragiously did take away; Vnto fair Queen Katherine they gave it again, Who to them these words did say. 5 If that I live but another fair year, Kind Robin Hood, said the fair queen, The love for this courtesie that I thee bear, Assure thy self it shall be seen. 6 Brave Robin Hood courteously thanked her Grace, And so took his leave of the queen; He with his bold archers then hied him apace, In summer time, to the woods green. 7 ‘Now wend we together, my merry men all, To the green wood to take up our stand:’ These archers were ready at Robin Hoods call, With their bent bows all in their hand. 8 ‘Come, merrily let us now valiantly go With speed unto the green wood, And there let us kill a stout buck or a do, For our master, Robin Hood.’ 9 At London must now be a game of shooting, Where archers should try their best skill; It was so commanded by their gracious king; The queen then thought to have her will. 10 Her little foot-page she sent with all speed, To find out stout Robin Hood, Who in the North bravely did live, as we read, With his bow-men in the green wood. 11 When as this young page unto the North came, He staid under a hill at his inn; Within the fair town of sweet Nottingham, He there to enquire did begin. 12 The page then having enquired aright The way unto Robin Hoods place, As soon as the page had obtained of him sight, He told him strange news from her Grace. 13 ‘Her Majestie praies you to haste to the court,’ And therewithall shewd him her ring; We must not delay his swift haste to this sport, Which then was proclaimd by the king. 14 Then Robin Hood hies him with all speed he may, With his fair men attired in green, And towards fair London he then takes his way; His safety lay all on the queen. 15 Now Robin Hood welcome was then to the court, Queen Katharine so did allow; Now listen, my friends, and my song shal report How the queen performed her vow. 16 The king then went marching in state with his peers To Finsbury field most gay, Where Robin Hood follows him, void of all fears, With his lusty brave shooters that day.