Lyr Req: Arthur-a-Bradley in a R. Hood ballad

Subject: Arthur-a-Bradley in a R. Hood ballad
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Feb 00 - 09:42 PM

In an old copy of The Legendary Ballads of England and Scotland there is a ballad on Robin Hood's Birth, Breeding, Valour, and Marriage. One of the verses mentions "Arthur-a-Bradley", with a footnote saying it is "an old and popular ballad". Here is the verse:

"Before we came in we heard a great shouting,
And all that were in it look'd madly;
For some were in bull-black, some dancing a morris,
And some singing Arthur-a-Bradley."

Does anyone know the lyrics to it and/or history of it?

Thanks,

katlaughing

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Arthur-a-Bradley in a R. Hood ballad
From: GUEST,Bruce O.
Date: 21 Feb 00 - 10:52 PM

The Robin Hood one in Child #149, and RZN17 in the broadside ballad index on my website. 17th and 18th century songs on Arthur o Bradley are ZN81, and ZN2333 in the same index. There's another "Arthur o' Bradley" in a 17th century drollery that wasn't reprinted as a broadside ballad.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Arthur-a-Bradley in a R. Hood ballad
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Feb 00 - 12:10 AM

Thank you very much, Bruce! I appreciate it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Arthur-a-Bradley in a R. Hood ballad
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Feb 00 - 01:00 AM

I fouled up, ZN2333 is a broadside reprint of the 1661 drollery version. Ebsworth reprinted all 3 in Roxburghe Ballad, VII, starting on p. 314.