King John and the Abbot

AO Folksong - MAY 2021
King John and the Abbot
16th century ballad; Compressed by J. Oxenford
About an old Abbot I’ll tell you anon,
Who lived in the reign of the famous King John,
And gained by his riches such wondrous renown,
The King had him brought unto fair London Town.
Derry down, down, down, derry down
“How now, Father Abbot, I hear it of thee,
In keeping thy house thou art greater than me.
’Tis treason; thy head from thy body I’ll smite
Unless thou canst answer my questions aright.”
Derry down, down, down, derry down
“At first thou shalt tell me, without any doubt,
How soon I may travel the whole world about:
A question more hard thou shalt answer as well-
My thoughts that I speak not, thou truly shalt tell.”
Derry down, down, down, derry down.
“Oh! These are deep questions,” the poor Abbot said,
“I never shall answer them right, I’m afraid.”
“Three weeks,” quoth King John, “for reflection I’ll give,
And then, if thou failest, no longer thou’lt live.”
Derry down, down, down, derry down.
The Abbot rode home with a load on his heart,
And, meeting his shepherd, his grief did impart.
“Good Master,” quoth he, “do not trouble your head;
To London I’ll go, without fear, in your stead.”
Derry down, down, down, derry down.
“The folks of our country forever tell me
I’m like to my lord as a pea to a pea;
So if you’ll consent just to lend me your gown
They’ll think me the Abbot in fair London Town.”
Derry down, down, down, derry down
Then on rolled the time, and the three weeks were gone;
The churl in his gown came to mighty King John.“Now welcome, sir Abbot, I hope you’ve found out
How soon I may travel the whole world about.”
Derry down, down, down, derry down.
“Just rise with the sun and keep close in his train,
Until the next morning he rises again;
And then, please your grace, you will surely find out
In a day you have travelled the whole world about.”
Derry down, down, down, derry down.
“Nay, marry, sir Abbot, thou answerest well.
Now, what I am thinking, thou truly must tell.”
“You think that before you the Abbot you see,
Although his poor clown, ’tis my fortune to be.”
Derry down, down, down, derry down.
Then out laughed the King and exclaimed “As I live,
A bag full of nobles to thee will I give;
And tell the old Abbot, when thou gettest home
Thou bring’st him a pardon from mighty King John.”
Derry down, down, down, derry down.
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Sheet music here: archive.org/de...
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