Glen Collection of printed music > Printed text > Popular music of the olden time > Volume 2

512
ENGLISH SONG AND BALLAD MUSIC.
MAD ROBIN.
This tune is in The Dancing Master of 1686 (additional sheet), and in all later
editions. Also in Polly, 1728 ; Tlie Lovers' Opera, 1729; The Stage Mutineers,
1733 ; and many other ballad-operas.
" "lis but a day or two ago since our mistress turn'd away her old servant, because
he would not play Mad Robin, wbich the organist has promised to do. I will say
that for him, the old organist was an excellent musician, but somewhat of a hu-
mourist ; he would have his own way, and play his own tunes." — History of
Robert Powel, the Pvppet-showman, 8vo., 1715.
I have not succeeded in finding the song of Mad Robin, and have therefore
taken the first and last stanzas of a ballad contained in a manuscript of the time
of James I., now in the possession of Mr. Payne Collier. I have no authority
for coupling them with the tune, but prefer those old words to any written
expressly to the air in the ballad-operas.
Smoothly, and moderate time.
tF^'-i i-£&
m
m
5
Love me lit - tie, love me long, Is the bur-den of my song,
m
SB
22
~z?
i^^&i
Love that ia too hot and strong Burn - eth soon
to
waste.
T-
f
SE
m^
35
T
Still, I would not have thee cold, Nor too back - ward nor too bold ;
i
a=
*
NN =i#=J=M
i=^=
Love that last - eth till
old,
Fa - deth not
haste.
3
3
Winter's cold, or summer's heat,
Autumn's tempests on it beat,
It can never know defeat,
Never can rebel :
Such the love that I would gain,
Such love, I tell thee plain,
Thou must give, ov woo in vain,
So, to thee, farewell.