There was an old man who lived in the greenwood Nobody knew him or what he had done But mothers would say to their children, "Beware of Mad John." John would sing with the birds in the morning Laugh with the wind in the cold end of night But people from behind their curtains, said he's not quite right. John had it sussed he was living the life of a tramp Yes his bed was the cold and the damp but the sun was his friend He was free So here was a wise one who loved all the haters He loved them so much that their hate turned to fear And shaking from behind their curtains the loved ones would hear.