There chanced to be a Pedlar bold, A Pedlar bold there chanced to be; He put his pack all on his back, And so merrily trudged over the lea.
By chance he met two troublesome men, Two troublesome men they chanced to be, The one of them was bold Robin Hood, And the other was little John so free.
O Pedlar, Pedlar, what is in thy pack? Come speedily and tell to me. I’ve several suits of the gay green silks, And silken bowstrings by two or three.
If you have several suits of the gay green silk, And silken bowstrings two or three Then, by my body, cries little John, One half of your pack shall belong to me.
Then little John he drew his sword, The Pedlar by his pack did stand, They fought until they both did sweat, Till he cried, Pedlar, pray hold your hand.
O Pedlar, Pedlar, what is thy name? Come speedily and tell to me. Come, my name I ne'er will tell, Till both your names you have told to me.
If you are Gamble Gold of the gay green woods, And travelled far beyond the sea, You are my mother’s own sister’s son, What nearer cousins can we be?
They sheathed their swords, with friendly words, So merrily they did agree, They went to a tavern and there they dined, And cracked bottles most merrily.