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Robin Hood and Little John 
Robin Hood and Little John 
When Robin Hood was twenty years old He happened to meet Little John, A young brisk blade right fit for the trade, For he was a lusty young man. 
Well, how they did meet, I'll tell you in brief, If you'll but listen a while, For this very jest amongst all the rest I think it may cause you to smile. 
Bold Robin Hood said to his jolly men, "Pray tarry you here in this grove And see that you all observe well me call While through the forest I rove. 
Then he shook hands with his merry men all And bid them at present goodbye, Then, as near a brook his journey he took, A stranger he chanced to espy. 
They happened to meet on a long narrow bridge And neither of them would give way. Said bold Robin Hood and sturdily stood, "I'll show you right Nottingham play." 
"You speak like a coward," the stranger he said, "As there with your long bow you stand. How, I protest, could you shoot at me breast While I have but a staff in me hand." 
"The name of a coward," said Robin, "I scorn." And found him a staff of green oak. This being done, away he did run To the stranger and merrily spoke. 
"Ah, just see me staff it's lusty and tough, Now here on the bridge we will play. Whoever falls in the other shall win The battle and then we'll away." 
Now Robin, he gave the stranger a bang 
So hard it made his bones ring. The stranger he said, "this must be repaid; I'll give you as good as you bring." 
The stranger gave Robin a crack on the crown Which caused the blood to appear. Then Robin, enraged, more fiercely engaged And followed with blows more severe. 
O then, in a fury the stranger he flew, Gave Robin a damnable look And with a bold blow that laid him full low He tumbled him into the brook. 
"O, where have you gone and where are you now?" The stranger he laughed and he cried. Quoth bold Robin Hood, "I'm here in the flood And I'm floating along in the tide." 
Then Robin he waded all out of the deep And pulled himself up by a thorn And just at the last he blew a loud blast Straightway on his bugle horn. 
The hills they did echo, the valleys did ring Which caused his brave men to appear All dressed in the green so bold to be seen Straight up to their master did steer. 
"There's no one will harm thee. Be not afraid, These bowman upon me do wait. There's three score and nine and if you'll be mine My livery you can wear right straight-" 
"O, here is my hand," the stranger replied, "I'll serve you with all of my heart My name is John Little, a man of good mettle Ne'er doubt me, I'll play out my part." 
"This man's been called John Little," said Robin "His name shall be changed anon. The words we'll transpose so wherever he goes His name shall be called Little John." 
A brace of fat deer was quickly brought in, Good ale and strong liquor likewise; The feast was so good in all the greenwood Where this seven foot babe was baptised. 
Then music and dancing did finish that day At length when the sun waxed low, Then all the whole from they withdrew And into their caves they did go. 
Child #125 from Bonnie Bunch of Roses ballad from before 1509, perhaps 1300. tune given in Bonnie Bunch or Roses collected by Ewan MacColl
 from Hughie Graham of Galloway SOF