Little Iohn and the four beggers, a new merry song of Robin Hood and little John, shewing how Little John went a begging, and how he fought with four beggers, and what a prize he got of the four beggers, the tune is, Robin Hood and the begger.

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Title
Little Iohn and the four beggers, a new merry song of Robin Hood and little John, shewing how Little John went a begging, and how he fought with four beggers, and what a prize he got of the four beggers, the tune is, Robin Hood and the begger.
Publication
[S.l.] :: Printed for William Gilberston,
[1657]
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Subject terms
Little John (Legendary character) -- Poetry -- Early works to 1800.
Robin Hood (Legendary character) -- Poetry -- Early works to 1800.
Ballads, English -- 17th century.
Broadsides -- England -- 17th century.
Link to this Item
http://name.umdl.umich.edu/B04111.0001.001
Cite this Item
"Little Iohn and the four beggers, a new merry song of Robin Hood and little John, shewing how Little John went a begging, and how he fought with four beggers, and what a prize he got of the four beggers, the tune is, Robin Hood and the begger." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/B04111.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 11, 2025.

Pages

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Little Iohn and the four Beggers, A new Merry Song of Robin Hood and little John, Shewing how Little John went a Begging, and how he fought with four Beggers, and what a prize he got of the four Beggers,

The tune is, Robin Hood and the begger

[illustration]

ALL you that delight to spend some time with a hey down down a down down A merry Song for to sing, Vnto me draw néer and you shall hear how little John went a begging.
As Robin Hood walked the Forest along. with a hey, &c. And all his Yeomandrée, Sayes Robin some of you must a begging go and little John it must be thée.
Sayes John if I must a begging go, with a hey, &c. I will have a palmers wéed, With a staff and a Coat and bags of all sort the better then I shall spéed.
Come give me now a bag for my bread, with a hey, &c. And another for my chéese And one for a peny when a; I get any. that nothing I may léese.
Now little John he is a begging gone, with a hey. Séeking for some relief, But of all the Beggers he met on the stay, little John he was the chief,
But as he was walking himself alone with a hey, &c. Four beggers he chanced to spy, Some deaf and some blind & some came behind sayes John heres brave company.
Good morrow said John my brethren dear with a hey, &c. Good fortune I had you to sée, Which way do you go pray let me know, for I want some company,
O what is here to do then said little John with a hey. Why rings all those bells said he. What dog is a hanging come let us be ganging that we the truth may sée,
Here is no dog a hanging then one of them said with a hey &c. Good fellow we tell unto thée, But here is one 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wil give us chéese & bread and it may be one single peny.
We have brethren in London another he said with a hey, &c. So have we in Coventry In Barwick and Dover and all the world over but nere a crookt caril like thée

[illustration]

THerefore stand thee back thou crooked care with a hey. And take that knock on the crown, Nay said little Iohn Ile not yet be gone for about will I have with you round,
Now have at you all then said little Iohn, with a hey. If you be so full of your blows, Fight on all four and nere give ore, whether you be friend or foes
John nipped the dumb and made him to rore with a hey: And the blind that could not sée, And be that a Cripple has been seven pears he made them run faster then he,
And flinging then all against the wall, with a hey. With many a sturdie bang It made Iohn sing to bear the gold ring Whih again the walls cryed twang
Then he got out of the beggers Cloak with a hey. Thrée hundred pound in gold Good Fortune had I then said little Iohn such a good fight to behold
But what found he in a beggers bag with a hey But three hundred pound and three If I drink water while this doth last then until death may I dye
And my begging trade I now will give o're with a hey, &c. My fortune hath bin so good, Therefore Ile not stay but I will away to the Forrest of we cry Sherwood.
But when to the Forrest of Sherwood he came with a hey he quickly there did see His Master good bold Robin Hood and all his company,
What news what news then said Robin Hood with a hey. Come little Iohn tell unto me, How hast thou sped with thy beggers trade for that I fain would see,
No news but good then said little Iohn with a hey, With begging ful wel I have sped Six hundred and three I have here for thee in silver and gold so te
Then Robin Hood took little John, by ye hand, with a hey, And danced about the Oak tree, If we drink water while this doth hast then an it death may we die.
So to conclude my merry new Song, with a hey. All you that delight it to sing Tis of Robin Hood that Archer good and how little John went a begging
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