No 113 the Keeper
C.J.S.
1
O there was a keeper, a shooting did go,
And under his arm he did carry a bow,
And that for to bring down the buck and the doe;
All in the green forest, the forest so green,
Where the red roses blossom to crown my queen.
2
The very first doe that he shot at he miss’d,
The second escaped by the breadth of his fist.
The third doe was young, so he caught her and kiss’d;
All in the green forest, the forest so green,
Where the red roses blossom to crown my queen.
3
“My fair pretty doe, you no longer shall roam,
For certainly henceforth with me you shall come,
To tarry securely in my little home;
All in the green forest, the forest so green,
Where the red roses blossom to crown my queen.
4
“Aside I will cast now my billets and bow,
I’ll tarry at home with my own pretty doe,
As proud as a king of his sceptre, I trow;
All in the green forest, the forest so green,
Where the red roses blossom to crown my queen.”