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ROBIN HOOD AND ALLEN A DALE
No. 138
From The English and Scottish Popular Ballads
by Francis James
Child, 1888.
Allen a Dale's first name is spelled many different ways -- Allin, Allen,
Allan and Alan. Here I follow ballad collector Francis Child in using the
earliest spellings. Although a common character in most Robin Hood novels
and children's books, Allen only appears in one ballad -- this one. It's
a relatively late ballad -- first appearing in the late 17th century, but
the story of Robin helping a troubled lover isn't quite as new. In a prose
Life of Robin Hood contained in the Sloane manuscript (circa 1600), Robin
Hood saves Will Scarlock's (Scarlet's) lover from a loveless marriage. Will
Scarlet in later tellings also dresses in red and is something of a dandy.
Allen is not present in the 1938 film starring Errol Flynn, but Will Scarlet
appears as a minstrel. Nearly every time Allen or Alan appears in modern
tales, he is a minstrel -- sometimes the narrator of the legend. A similar
tale called Robin Hood and the Bride exists in the Forresters manuscript
(a ballad collection from about 1670, not discovered until 1993), although
in that tale the lovers are unnamed.
The village of Papplewick in Nottinghamshire claims to have the church
in which Allen and his bride were married. As for the bride's name, the
ballad is silent on that. She's been given many names in children's books
and novels. Ellen is her most common name.
As multiple names seems to be something of recurring theme with these characters,
the Miller's Son in this ballad is called Nick -- very unusual. Much the
Miller's Son is a member of Robin Hood's band from the earliest ballads to
the modern TV shows. Sometimes he is also called Midge. I believe this is
the only instance of him being called Nick.
1 Come listen to me, you gallants so free,
All you that loves mirth for to hear,
And I will you tell of a bold outlaw,
That lived in Nottinghamshire.
2 As Robin Hood in the forrest stood,
All under the green-wood tree,
There was he ware of a brave young man,
As fine as fine might be.
3 The youngster was clothed in scarlet red,
And he did frisk it over the plain,
4 As Robin Hood next morning stood,
Amongst the leaves so gay,
There did he espy the same young man
Coming drooping along the way.
5 The scarlet he wore the day before,
And every step he fetcht a sigh,
'Alack and a well a day!'
6 Then stepped forth brave Little John,
And Nick the millers son,
Which made the young man bend his bow,
When as he see them come.
7 'Stand off, stand off,' the young man said,
'What is your will with me?'
'You must come before our master straight,
Vnder yon green-wood tree.'
8 And when he came bold Robin before,
Robin askt him courteously,
O hast thou any money to spare
9 'I have no money,' the young man said,
'But five shillings and a ring;
And that I have kept this seven long years,
To have it at my wedding.
10 'Yesterday I should have married a maid,
But she is now from me tane,
And chosen to be an old knights delight,
Whereby my poor heart is slain.'
11 'What is thy name?' then said Robin Hood,
'Come tell me, without any fail:'
'By the faith of my body,' then said the young man,
'My name it is Allin a Dale.'
12 'What wilt thou give me,' said Robin Hood,
To help thee to thy true-love again,
And deliver her unto thee?'
13 'I have no money,' then quoth the young man,
But I will swear upon a book
Thy true servant for to be.'
14 'How many miles is it to thy true-love?
Come tell me without any guile:'
'By the faith of my body,' then said the young
man,
'It is but five little mile.'
15 Then Robin he hasted over the plain,
He did neither stint nor lin,
Vntil he came unto the church
Where Allin should keep his wedding.
16 'What dost thou do here?' the bishop he said,
'I prethee now tell to me:'
'I am a bold harper,' quoth Robin Hood,
'And the best in the north countrey.'
17 'O welcome, O welcome,' the bishop he said,
'That musick best pleaseth me;'
'You shall have no musick,' quoth Robin Hood,
'Till the bride and the bridegroom I see.'
18 With that came in a wealthy knight,
Which was both grave and old,
And after him a finikin lass,
Did shine like glistering gold.
19 'This is no fit match,' quoth bold Robin Hood,
'That you do seem to make here;
For since we are come unto the church,
The bride she shall chuse her own dear.'
20 'Then Robin Hood put his horn to his mouth,
And blew blasts two or three;
When four and twenty bowmen bold
Came leaping over the lee.
21 And when they came into the church-yard,
The first man was Allin a Dale,
To give bold Robin his bow.
22 'This is thy true-love,' Robin he said,
'Young Allin, as I hear say;
And you shall be married at this same time,
23 'That shall not be,' the bishop he said,
For thy word will not stand;
They shall be three times askt in the church,
As the law is of our land.'
24 Robin Hood pulld off the bishops coat,
And put it upon Little John;
'By the faith of my body,' then Robin said,
'This cloath doth make thee a man.'
25 When Little John went into the quire,
The people began for to laugh;
He askt them seven times in the church,
Least three times should not be enough.
26 'Who gives me this maid,' then said Little John;
And he that doth take her from Allin a Dale
Full dearly he shall her buy.
27 And thus having ended this merry wedding,
The bride lookt as fresh as a queen,
And so they returnd to the merry green wood,
Amongst the leaves so green.
NEXT: Robin Hood Rescuing Three Squires
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