+The Text+ is taken from _Wit Restor'd_, 1658, where it is called _A
Northern Ballet_. From the same collection comes the version of _Little
Musgrave and Lady Barnard_ given in First Series, p. 19. The version
popularly known as _Johnny Armstrong's Last Good-Night_, so dear to
Goldsmith, and sung by the Vicar of Wakefield, is a broadside found in
most of the well-known collections.
+The Story+ of the ballad has the authority of more than one chronicle,
and is attributed to the year 1530. James V., in spite of the promise
'to doe no wrong' in his large and long letter, appears to have been
incensed at the splendour of 'Jonnë's' retinue. It seems curious that
the outlaw should have been a Westmoreland man; but the _Cronicles of
Scotland_ say that 'from the Scots border to Newcastle of England, there
was not one, of whatsoever estate, but paid to this John Armstrong a
tribute, to be free of his cumber, he was so doubtit in England.'
Jonnë's offer in the stanza 16.3,4, may be compared to the similar feat
of Sir Andrew Barton.