(Trad/Roberts/Lakeman)

Lyrics

The girls arrived in Greenwood
And there they sang a song
Woe be to our stepmother
We fear she did us wrong
Now we wear poor dresses
No more cloth of gold
Will you not take pity
And save us from the cold

Then appeared bold Robin
As he to them drew near
Instead of boys to shoot the bow
Ladies we have here
Once we were two flowers
The finest you did see
Now we’re Nicholas and Roger
Beneath the Greenwood trees

They hadn’t been in Greenwood for
Twelve month and a day
Till Roger Brown was big with child
As any maid could be
Woe to our stepmother
That made us leave home
For now I carry Robins child
And nearly nine months gone

O’ who will be my midwife
There’s no help for me here
Who will be my midwife
When my time is near
Then up spoke bold Robin
Beneath the old oak tree
Hold your tears fair Roger
For married you shall be

Rose was wed to Robin bold
Her sister married to John
In spite of their stepmother
Who made them leave home
The King has heard the story
Of his missing daughters fate
And how his cruel lady
Went and sent them away

The King sent many fine gifts
Of emerald and gold
And Rose and Lily live now
In the care of Robin bold