Tensions between the band grew during the production in 1970 of their first album, Hark! The Village Wait to the point where they never again worked together after its completion, but the music itself shows no signs of these difficulties. While having a rock sensibility there is a greater sense of the authentic folk tradition than even in the best of Fairport, and a particular beauty arising from the two pairs of voices. The Woods being replaced by admired folk stalwart Martin Carthy, with violinist Peter Knight to widen the musical textures, the group late in 1970 recorded their most admired record Please to see the King. Ten Man Mop followed in 1971, more accomplished but generally felt to be less exciting. The expensive gatefold sleeve swallowed the band's royalties, and was referred to as a tombstone, since Hutchings and Carthy then left, to pursue Hutchings' new vision of a specifically English strand of folk rock with The Albion Band, and Steeleye Mk 2 folded.
However the inclusion of the less celebrated and more rock orientated replacements Rick Kemp and Bob Johnson led to the most commercially successful phase in the band's existence, vocalist Maddy Prior becoming the primary focus of the band, and a run of well received albums, from Below the Salt and Now we Are Six, their first with drummer Nigel Pegrum, to their eighth, and most commercially successful, All Around my Hat, in 1975.
Still active, they have a claim to be one of the longest-lived and perhaps the most commercially successful of all the folk rock bands of the era, thanks to their hit singles Gaudete and All Around My Hat, 3 top 40 albums and even a certified "gold" record with All Around My Hat.
Tim Hart died of lung cancer on 24 December 2009, aged 61.
Gamble Gold
Steeleye Span Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There chanced to be a pedlar bold
A pedlar bold he chanced to be
He rolled his pack all on his back
And he came tripping o'er the sea
By chance he met two troublesome blades
One of them was Robin Hood
The other was Little John so free
Chorus
Gentlemen on high born blood
Gamble Gold and Robin Hood
"Oh pedlar, pedlar what's in the pack
Come speedily and tell to me"
"I've several suits of the gay green silk
And silken bow strings two of three"
"If you have suits of the gay green silk
And silken bow strings two of three"
"Then by my body" cries Robin Hood
"Half your pack belongs to me"
Chorus
"Oh no, oh no," says the pedlar bold
"No that can never be
There's never a man in Nottingham
Can take one half my pack from me!"
The Robin Hood he drew his sword
And the pedlar by his pack did stand
They fought 'till the blood in streams did flow
And he cried "Pedlar hold hold your hand"
Chorus
"Oh pedlar, pedlar what's thy name
Come speedily and tell to me"
"I'm Gamble Gold of the gay green woods
I've travelled far beyond the sea"
"If you're Gamble Gold of the gay green woods
Then my cousin you must be
Let us away to a tavern near
And bottles crack most merrily"
Chorus
The song Gamble Gold by Steeleye Span provides insight into the world of medieval England and the legends that emerged during this time. The song tells the story of a pedlar who encounters the legendary figures of Robin Hood and Little John. Robin Hood, known for his outlaw ways and fight against social injustice, and Little John, his loyal companion, demand half of the pedlar's pack in exchange for their protection. The pedlar refuses, and the two parties engage in a physical altercation. Eventually, the pedlar reveals himself to be Gamble Gold, a figure of equal status in the world of medieval legends.
The song Gamble Gold paints a picture of a tumultuous time in Britain's history, highlighting the clash between powerful lords and the common people. Robin Hood and Little John are often seen as heroes who fought against the corrupt and wealthy that oppressed the working class. Gamble Gold, on the other hand, represented a different side of the struggle, one that relied on cunning and wit to survive in a world where power and wealth determined one's fate. Through intricate storytelling and vivid imagery, Steeleye Span brings these legends to life, reminding listeners of the enduring power of these tales.
Line by Line Meaning
There chanced to be a pedlar bold
Once there was a courageous salesman
A pedlar bold he chanced to be
He was a brave salesman by chance
He rolled his pack all on his back
He carried his merchandise on his back
And he came tripping o'er the sea
He arrived joyfully from the sea
By chance he met two troublesome blades
He coincidentally met two rowdy men
Troublesome blades they chanced to be
They happened to be problematic individuals
One of them was Robin Hood
One of them was the famous Robin Hood
The other was Little John so free
The other was also a valiant outlaw named Little John
Gentlemen on high born blood
Noble men of high status
Gamble Gold and Robin Hood
Gamble Gold and Robin Hood
"Oh pedlar, pedlar what's in the pack
"What do you have in your pack, salesman?
Come speedily and tell to me"
Hurry and tell me."
"I've several suits of the gay green silk
"I have a few fancy green silk outfits
And silken bow strings two of three"
And two or three silk bow strings."
"If you have suits of the gay green silk
"If you really have those fancy green silk outfits
And silken bow strings two of three"
And two or three silk bow strings.
"Then by my body" cries Robin Hood
"Then I swear by my life," Robin Hood shouts
"Half your pack belongs to me"
"I deserve half of your merchandise"
Oh no, oh no," says the pedlar bold
"Oh no, that's impossible," says the bold salesman
No that can never be
That cannot happen
There's never a man in Nottingham
No one in Nottingham
Can take one half my pack from me!"
Can claim half of my merchandise!"
The Robin Hood he drew his sword
Robin Hood unsheathed his sword
And the pedlar by his pack did stand
And the salesman stood by his merchandise
They fought 'till the blood in streams did flow
They fought until blood flowed heavily
And he cried "Pedlar hold hold your hand"
And he yelled "Salesman, stop fighting!"
"Oh pedlar, pedlar what's thy name
"Salesman, what's your name
Come speedily and tell to me"
Hurry and tell me."
"I'm Gamble Gold of the gay green woods
"I'm Gamble Gold, from the cheerful green woods
I've travelled far beyond the sea"
I've journeyed beyond the sea
"If you're Gamble Gold of the gay green woods
"If you truly are Gamble Gold from the green woods
Then my cousin you must be
Then we must be cousins
Let us away to a tavern near
Let's go to a nearby tavern
And bottles crack most merrily"
And let's drink merrily!"
Contributed by Ruby B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ben - Moderator
on Bonny Moorhen
Hi Stuart, We have corrected the description above.
Stuart Tartan
on Bonny Moorhen
This description of the song completely misses the point in every way. It IS NOT about a bird.
It is an allegorical Jacobite-era song about Bonny Prince Charlie (the bonny moorhen). The colours mentioned, for instance, are the colours of the Clan Stuart tartan.