Robyn and Gandeleyn

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Robyn and Gandeleyn is Child ballad 115. It may be an early ballad of Robin Hood.

[edit] Synopsis

Robyn kills a deer and is shot and killed. Gandeleyn looks about for the killer and finds Wrennok of Donne. They exchange words, and Gandeleyn says they shall shoot at a mark of each other's hearts. He kills him and declares he can not boast of killing both Robyn and his man Gandeleyn.

[edit] Commentary

Gandeleyn may be the same as Gamble Gold of The Bold Pedlar and Robin Hood.

The refrain, "Robynn lyth in grene wode bowndyn" means that Robin lies in his shroud; it is an analogue to the more famous Adam lay ybounden.

[edit] External links

• Robyn and Gandelyn with commentary