This page features a video of the poem “The Bold Pedlar and Robin Hood”, prescribed under the Karnataka State Syllabus for 9th Standard English First Language. Along with its summary in three languages and transliterated songs. It serves as a valuable learning resource for students and parents, with each song accompanied by its respective lyrics for easy sing-along. The synchronized lyrics help learners follow and recite the song as it progresses, making memorization and learning by heart easier, more effective, and enjoyable.
Lyrics
English
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.
O nay, O nay, said the pedlar bold,
O nay, O nay, that can never be
For there’s never a man from fair Nottingham,
Can ask one half my pack from me.
Then the pedlar he pulled off his pack,
And put it a little below his knee,
Saying, If you do move me one perch from this
My pack and all shall gang with thee.
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.
Then Robin Hood he was standing by,
And he did laugh most heartily,
Saying, I could find a man of smaller scale,
Could thrash the pedlar and also thee.
Go you try, master, says little John,
Go you try , master, most speedily,
For by my body, says little John,
I am sure this night you will know me.
Then Robin Hood he drew his sword,
And the pedlar by his pack did stand;
They fought till the blood in streams did flow,
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.
The one of us is bold Robin Hood,
And the other is little John so free.
Now, says the pedlar, it lays to my good will,
Whether my name I choose to tell to thee.
I am Gamble Gold of the gay green woods,
And I traveled far beyond the sea,
For killing a man in my father’s land,
And from my country was forced to flee.
If you are Gamble Gold of the gay green woods,
And traveled 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.
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.
O nay, O nay, said the pedlar bold,
O nay, O nay, that can never be
For there’s never a man from fair Nottingham,
Can ask one half my pack from me.
Then the pedlar he pulled off his pack,
And put it a little below his knee,
Saying, If you do move me one perch from this
My pack and all shall gang with thee.
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.
Then Robin Hood he was standing by,
And he did laugh most heartily,
Saying, I could find a man of smaller scale,
Could thrash the pedlar and also thee.
Go you try, master, says little John,
Go you try , master, most speedily,
For by my body, says little John,
I am sure this night you will know me.
Then Robin Hood he drew his sword,
And the pedlar by his pack did stand;
They fought till the blood in streams did flow,
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.
The one of us is bold Robin Hood,
And the other is little John so free.
Now, says the pedlar, it lays to my good will,
Whether my name I choose to tell to thee.
I am Gamble Gold of the gay green woods,
And I traveled far beyond the sea,
For killing a man in my father’s land,
And from my country was forced to flee.
If you are Gamble Gold of the gay green woods,
And traveled 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.
Summary
This traditional ballad tells an adventurous story involving a bold pedlar, Robin Hood, and Little John. Robin Hood and Little John demand part of the pedlar's pack, but the pedlar firmly refuses to surrender it. Little John fights the pedlar, and later Robin Hood also challenges him in a sword fight. The pedlar eventually reveals that his name is Gamble Gold and that he is the son of Robin Hood's mother's sister. Realizing that they are close relatives, they put away their swords, become friendly, and share a cheerful meal together.
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