December 16th, 2009

My friend Sophie just emailed me a fascinating little ballad about Robin Húd’. I would like to point out the word ‘mickle’, a Scottish word for ‘great’ or amazing.

The part about Little John going to ‘town’ may be related to a particular sequence of verses in the Lytle Gest of Robyne Hode, in which it seems Little John has returned to the forest of fair Barnesdale from the outside world, and is eagerly asked for news by Robin Húd’ and his ‘menye’—his company of men. (I believe that menye is pronounced men-yee based off the way it was rhymed with other words).

Robin Hood, Robin Hood,
Is in the mickle wood!
Little John, Little John,
He to the town is gone.
Robin Hood, Robin Hood,
Telling his beads,
All in the greenwood
Among the green weeds.

Little John, Little John,
If he comes no more,
Robin Hood, Robin Hood,
He shall fret full sore!

Sophie, thanks a LOT for pointing this jewel out!