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This ballad is Child Ballad #144. The original title is The Bishop of Hereford's entertainment by Robin Hood and Little John ... in merry Barnsdale. This was printed on broadsides and chapbooks in the 1700s. William Chappell wrote that it was the most popular Robin Hood ballad of his time (1859). The earliest text in Child is from E. Cochrane's Song-Book (1749). This version was collected by H. E. D. Hammond in Dorset in 1908. The texts in Child and Chappell do not contain the "Derry down" lines. There are many speculations as to the identity of Robin Hood. According to Sharp Robin Hood was born in the time of Henry II, perhaps Robert Fitzooth, perhaps the Earl of Huntington. His exploits centered around Barnsdale and Sherwood. Legend has it that he died in 1247 at the age of 87 at Kirkley's Nunnery in Yorkshire. Use the links below to explore the legend further. For a complete list of Child Ballads at this site see Francis J. Child Ballads. |
Others they may tell you of bold Robin Hood, Derry, derry, down! Or else of the barons bold, But I'll tell you how they served the Bishop, When they robbed him of his gold. Derry down! Hey! Derry, derry, down! Robin Hood, he dressed him in shepherd's attire, Derry, derry, down! And six of his men also, And, when the Bishop he did come by, They around the fire did go. Derry down! Hey! Derry, derry, down! 'We are but poor shepherds' quoth bold Robin Hood, Derry, derry, down! 'And keep sheep all the year, But we've resolved to taste to-day Of the best of our King's deer.' Derry down! Hey! Derry, derry, down! 'Thou'rt a merry fellow;' the old Bishop said, Derry, derry, down! 'The King of thy deeds shall know; Therefore make haste, come along with me, For before the King shalt go!' Derry down! Hey! Derry, derry, down! Robin Hood he set then his back to an oak, Derry, derry, down! His foot against a thorn, And underneath from his shepherd's cloak Pulled out a bugle horn. Derry down! Hey! Derry, derry, down! Robin put the small end against his lips, Derry, deny, down! And loudly a blast did blow, Till full six score of his trusty men Came a-running on a row. Derry down! Hey! Derry, derry, down! 'What's the matter, master?' says Little John, Derry, derry, down! 'You call us so hastily.' 'Oh! here's the Bishop of Hereford, For to-day he passes by.' Derry down! Hey! Derry, derry, down! Robin Hood he took then the old Bishop's hand, Derry, derry, down! And led him to gay Barnsdale, And made him sup at his board that night, Where they drank wine, beer, and ale. Derry down! Hey! Derry, derry, down! 'Call me in the reck'ning' the Bishop then said, Derry, derry, down! 'I'm sure it's growing high:' 'Lend me your purse, Sir' said Little John, "And I'll tell you by and bye:' Derry down! Hey! Derry, derry, down! Little John he took then the old Bishop's cloak, Derry, derry, down! And spread it upon the ground, And from the Bishop his portmanteau He told five hundred pound. Derry down! Hey! Derry, derry, down! Little John he took then the old Bishop's hand, Derry, derry, down! And called for the pipes to play, And made the Bishop to dance in his boots; He went gladly so his way. Derry down! Hey! Derry, derry, down! |
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Additional Versions Other Robin Hood Ballads at this site:
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English Country Folk Songs, Popular Music of the Olden Time and The English and Scottish Popular Ballads See Bibliography for full information. |
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