The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #5117   Message #2733685
Posted By: Jim Dixon
28-Sep-09 - 08:44 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Robin Lend to Me Thy Bow
Subject: Lyr Add: ROBIN LEND TO ME THY BOW
From Ancient Songs, from the Time of King Henry the Third, to the Revolution by Joseph Ritson (London: J. Johnson, 1790), page 166:
^^
ROBIN LEND TO ME THY BOW.

A canon in the unison, for four voices, from "Pammelia. Musicks Miscellanie. Or, Mixed varietie of Pleasant Roundelayes, and delightfull Catches. of 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. parts in one. Lond. 1609. 4to." That it was a popular song in the beginning of Queen Elizabeths reign appears from its being mentioned (amongst others) in a curious old musical piece, (MSS. Harl. 7578. before mentioned) containing the description and praises of the city of Durham, written about that time; but of which the corresponding parts are unfortunately lost. It is likewise mentioned in "A very mery and pythie commedie, called The longer thou livest the more foole thou art." By W. Wager. London. 4to. b. l. n. d.

Now Robin lend to me thy bow,
Sweet Robin lend to me thy bow,
For I must now a hunting with my lady goe,
With my sweet Lady goe.

And whither will thy Lady goe?
Sweet Wilkin tell it unto mee;
And thou shalt have my hawke, my hound, and eke my bow,
To wait on thy Lady.

My lady will to Uppingham,
To Uppingham forsooth will shee;
And I my selfe appointed for to be the man,
To wait on my Lady.

Adieu, good Wilkin, all beshrewde,
Thy hunting nothing pleaseth mee:
But yet beware thy babling hounds stray not abroad,
For angring of thy Lady.

My hounds shall be led in the line,
So well I can allure it thee;
Unlesse by view of straine some pursue I may finde,
To please my sweet Lady.

With that the Lady shee came in,
And wild them all for to agree;
For honest hunting never was accounted sinne,
Nor never shall for mee.