Full Lyrics
1. I have been a foster
Long and many a day;
Foster will I be no more,
No longer shoot I may;
Yet have I been a foster.
2. Hang I will my noble bow
upon the greenwood bough,
For I cannot shoot in plain
nor yet in rough;
Yet have I been a foster.
3. Every bow for me is to big;
mine arrow nigh worn is;
The glue is slipp’d from the nick;
when I should shoot I miss;
Yet have I been a foster.
4. Lady Venus hath commanded me
out of her court to go.
Right plainly she sheweth me
that beauty is my foe.
Yet have I been a foster.
5. My beard is so hard, God wot,
when I should maidens kisse,
They stand aback and make it strange.
Lo, age is cause of this.
Yet have I been a foster.
6. Now will I take to me my beads
for and my psalterbook,
And pray I will for them that may,
for [I] may nought but look.
Yet have I been a foster.
