Up the wild forest, and down the wild forest, and down by yon green-wood tree. And there I spy'd a jolly brisk Tanner, and a brave brisk Tanner was he.
O what occupation are you, says the King? O what occupation are you? A tanner, a tanner, a barker of leather. What de'il occupation are ye, quoth the Tanner?
O I am a Courtier, replied the King, and a Courtier I be. I once had a brother of your occupation, was hanged, and so will ye, says the Tanner.
Show me the way to Stirling town, the place where it doth stand? Follow your nose, the tanner he said, keep the gallows on your right hand:
And when that you come to Stirling town, take care you be not hang'd, says the Tanner. Will ye go to the ale-house with me, says the King, and drink both beer and wine;
And when the reckoning comes to be paid, I'll pay both yours and mine. The de'il's in the follow, the Tanner he said; I think ye are gone mad!
For where there's one penny in your pocket, there's a guinea in mine to be had. The King pull'd out a green horn from his side, and blew it wonderous shrill,
Till four-and-forty bolted Knights came riding out-o'er the hill. Fetch a collar to me, says the King, go fetch a collar to me,
I'll make this Tanner as good a Knight as rides in my company. O wo is me, the tanner he said, that ever I was born!
For instead of a collar I'll get a halter! I fear I'll be hang'd the morn. O no, O no, the King he said, for no such thing shall be;
I never hang'd a Tanner in my life, and I will not begin with thee. For I'll make you as good a Knight as rides in my company.
