Robyn of the Wude
Originally written for Robin Hood Tournament 2009 and performed at the Bardic Exhibition, by Secca de Cantia.
The Poem (or Song)
In Nottinghamshire,
The Sheriff requires,
That taxes all must pay.
Unjust Guy of Guisbourne,
Has left them most forlorn,
He holds them in his sway.
The Sheriff is greedy,
The people are needy,
But laws they must obey.
The King's off crusading,
No hope of persuading,
The Reeve his hand to stay.
- CHORUS
- With a Hey-Ho, Wither shall we go?
- What is it that we should?
- With a Hi-Hee, Down upon a knee,
- Is there one that could?
- O Robin, Hey Robin,
- Now Robin, Good Robin,
- Call Robin of the Wood.
- O Robin, Hey Robin,
- Now Robin, Good Robin,
- Comes now Robin Hood!
In Sherwood's fair forest,
Lies hope for the poorest,
Here lives Robin's band.
They fight 'gainst the Sheriff,
And all of his tariffs,
That cripple so the land.
These outlaws are stealthy,
And rob from the wealthy,
Those helped by Guisborne's plan.
The Sherwood is immense,
It's vastness a defense,
Here Robin makes his stand.
- CHORUS
- With a Hey-Ho, Wither shall we go?
- What is it that we should?
- O Robin, Hey Robin,
- Now Robin, Good Robin,
- Call Robin of the Wood.
- With a Hi-Hee, Down upon a knee,
- Is there one that could?
- O Robin, Hey Robin,
- Now Robin, Good Robin,
- Comes now Robin Hood!
Good Robin's a bowman,
And no other yeoman,
Can shoot a bow so well.
Now John's not so little,
Nor is his staff brittle,
He'll beat you like a pell.
And goodman Will Scarlet,
The best man to spar yet,
His sword weaves steely spells.
Sweet Lady Maid Marian,
Sings like a clarion,
her voice like silver bells.
- CHORUS
- With a Hey-Ho, Wither shall we go?
- What is it that we should?
- O Robin, Hey Robin,
- Now Robin, Good Robin,
- Call Robin of the Wood.
- With a Hi-Hee, Down upon a knee,
- Is there one that could?
- O Robin, Hey Robin,
- Now Robin, Good Robin,
- Comes now Robin Hood!
Notes
The funny part is that, although I write lots of songish lyrics, I am not musical, so never have music actually written for any of my pieces.
I pretty much said just that as I introduced the new "song" I'd written... Then proceeded to read from the page -- when I got to the chorus -- much to my surprise -- I was singing!!! I have a morbid fear of singing in public! Luckily it was a smallish group of listners, mostly friends -- so I warbled on...
I tried to make-up something for the verses, but failed miserably. Luckily, I managed to remember the tune for the next chorus. By the third chorus -- I heard a couple of people singing along!!!
