“Robin Hood and the Tinker”
Description
A Tinker asks help arresting Robin Hood for 100 pounds. Robin tricks him into drinking himself to sleep. On waking he learns his companion was Robin. He finds Robin; they fight. Robin yields, then blows his horn for reinforcements. The Tinker joins them.
Notes
Child describes this as a "contemptible imitation of imitations." - KK
For background on the Robin Hood legend, see the notes on "A Gest of Robyn Hode" [Child 117].
Fully half the Robin Hood ballads in the Child collection (numbers (121 -- the earliest and most basic example of the type), 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 130, 131, 132, (133), (134), (135), (136), (137), (150)) share all or part of the theme of a stranger meeting and defeating Robin, and being invited to join his band. Most of these are late, but it makes one wonder if Robin ever won a battle. - RBW
References
- Child 127, "Robin Hood and the Tinker" (1 text)
- Bronson 127, comments only
- Leach, pp. 376-380, "Robin Hood and the Tinker" (1 text)
- BBI, RZN14, "In summer time when leaves grow green"
- Roud #3982
- BI, C127