1. In summer, when the shaws be sheen And leaves be large and long, It is full merry in fair forest To hear the fowlës song,
2. To see the deer draw to the dale, And leave the hillës hee, And shadow them in the leavës green, Under the greenwood tree.
3. It befel on Whitsuntide, Early in a May morning, The sun up fair can shine, And the briddës merry can sing.
4. ‘This is a merry morning,’ said Little John, ‘By him that died on tree; A more merry man than I am one Lives not in Christiantë.
5. ‘Pluck up thy heart, my dear master,’ Little John can say, ‘And think it is a full fair time In a morning of May.’
6. ‘Yea, one thing grieves me,’ said Robin, ‘And does my heart much woe; That I may not no solemn day To mass nor matins go.
7. ‘It is a fortnight and more,’ said he, ‘Syn I my Saviour see; To-day will I to Nottingham, With the might of mild Marie.’
8. Then spake Much the milner son, Ever more well him betide! ‘Take twelve of thy wight yeomen, Well weapon’d by thy side. Such one would thyselfë slon, That twelve dare not abide.’
9. ‘Of all my merry men,’ said Robin, ‘By my faith I will none have, But Little John shall bear my bow, Till that me list to draw.’
10. ‘Thou shall bear thine own,’ said Little John, ‘Master, and I will bear mine, And we will shoot a penny,’ said Little John, ‘Under the greenwood lyne.’
11. ‘I will not shoot a penny,’ said Robin Hood, ‘In faith, Little John, with thee, But ever for one as thou shootës,’ said Robin, ‘In faith I hold thee three.’
12. Thus shot they forth, these yeomen two, Both at bush and broom, Till Little John won of his master Five shillings to hose and shoon.
13. A ferly strife fell them between, As they went by the way, Little John said he had won five shillings And Robin Hood said shortly nay.
14. With that Robin Hood lied Little John, And smote him with his hand; Little John waxëd wroth therewith, And pulled out his bright brand.
15. ‘Were thou not my master,’ said Little John, ‘Thou shouldest by it full sore; Get thee a man where thou wilt, For thou gettest me no more.’
16. Then Robin goes to Nottingham, Himself mourning alone, And Little John to merry Sherwood, The paths he knew ilkone.
17. When Robin came to Nottingham, Certainly withouten layn, He prayed to God and mild Mary To bring him out safe again.