It is easy to assume that any song about Robin Hood must be centuries old but this is not always so. This song certainly was printed on various 19th century broadsides but there is no real narrative to it, the language is rather arty, and it is described as “An Old English Glee” or “Glee for Three Voices”. It is quoted in the 1829 publication “The Young Lady’s Book: A Manual of Elegant Recreations” and this seems to be the first mention. This particular Robin Hood ballad was often printed and referred to in 19th century texts, but seldom collected in oral tradition. Indeed, it seems that Mrs Moabey’s rendering is the only audio recording of the song ever made.
Notes by Gwilym Davies 3 April 2015