Act II, scene 1. Friar Tuck’s entry in his singing contest with the Black Knight (the disguised King Richard). Blue words appear only in the printed libretto and red words appear only in the printed score, both Chappell & Co., 1891
The wind blows cold across the moor,
With driving rain and rending tree.
It smites the lonely pious hermit’s door,
But not a jot cares he,
For close he sits within,
And makes his merry din,
With his “Ho! Jolly Jenkin,
I spy a knave in drinkin’;
And trowl the brown bowl to me!”
Then ho! Jolly Jenkin,
I spy a knave in drinkin;
And trowl, and trowl the bonnie bowl to me!”
The wind a roaring song may sing,
In crashing wood or frightened frighted town.
It whirls the mantle of a king
As ’twere a beggar’s gown;
But caring not a jot,
We sing and drain the pot,
With our his “Ho! Jolly Jenkin,
I spy a knave in drinkin’;
And pour the good drink adown.”
And trowl the brown bowl to me!
Then ho! Jolly Jenkin,
I spy a knave in drinkin;
And trowl, and trowl the bonnie bowl to me!”
Chorus: So Then Ho, jolly Jenkin,
I spy a knave in drinkin’;
Then trowl the brown bowl to me!”
Then ho! Jolly Jenkin,
I spy a knave in drinkin’;
Then trowl, then trowl the bonnie bowl to me!”
