Thanks Liz, certinally interesting. Why would Robin refuse drink then if it would help to replenish his system before or during being bled? Any ideas? It might also be that no name of the type of drink (or food for that matter) was ever mentioned in the earlier ballads & "having a beer together" was a much later (& awkward addition)? Sounds like he's headed to a sports bar rather than the grave or hospital bed.
Geoff, thanks for that link. The earlier "The Gest of Robyn Hoode" Child #117 is a great ballad in more ways than one or two, the ground work is far more belivable & more truer to a salt of the earth version than ledgend. Of course it has the length to tell a much longer & in debth story. Who today would sit in a ballad workshop or anywhere & listen to one so long? Yup, probably a few of us who need medication.

Thanks
Barry