Ride for Will

Vocals & Creative Concept: Ekaterina Yaremchuk Historic Footprint — History Lives in Music Ride for Will Hear the bells of Nottingham, Hear the warning cry! Will Stutely stands in chains today, But free men will not die! At dawn they took Will Stutely, And bound his hands with chain, The sheriff's men surrounded him Along the Nottingham lane. They led him through the market square, Beneath the morning sky, But word had reached the greenwood And Robin heard the cry. “Gather round, my Merry Men, Bring every bow and blade! No faithful friend of Sherwood Shall face his fate unaided!” Ride for Will! Ride for Will! Over valley, over hill! Draw the bow and sound the horn, Freedom comes with Sherwood's dawn! Side by side, whatever may be, No man leaves a friend in need. Raise the greenwood banner high For Will Stutely we will ride! Little John came through the woodland, Friar Tuck was close behind, Every man who loved old Sherwood Had but one thought in his mind. Through the gates of Nottingham, They moved without a sound, Till Robin raised his longbow And the guards looked all around. Ride for Will! Ride for Will! Over valley, over hill! Draw the bow and sound the horn, Freedom comes with Sherwood's dawn! Side by side, whatever may be, No man leaves a friend in need. Raise the greenwood banner high For Will Stutely we will ride! Then an arrow split the silence, And the Merry Men appeared, Through the square their voices thundered, And the sheriff's soldiers feared. Little John broke through the circle, Robin cut the binding chain, “Run for Sherwood, brother Stutely! You are one of us again!” Ride for Will! Ride for Will! Hear the horns across the hill! Back to Sherwood, back to green, To the finest home we've seen. Side by side, forever free, Brothers of the greenwood tree. Let old Nottingham remember still Robin Hood came back for Will! Now beneath the Sherwood oak trees, By the fire burning bright, Will Stutely raises up his cup: “To friends who came to fight!”