(2) The subject matter of the ballads（民谣的主题） The subject matter of the ballads is of great variety, from war and bloodshed and superstition to domestic affairs and outlawry. A group of ballads dealing with blood strife on the English-Scottish border are known as “border ballads”. Of special significance are the Robin Hood Ballads that deal with the famous outlaw Robin Hood and his men and their activities. Robin Hood was a legendary hero who was supposed to have lived during the reign of Richard the Lion Hearted (1189～1199). He and his men lived in the forest of Sherwood. They fought with oppressors and were righteous defenders of the poor and the oppressed. 民谣的主题种类繁多，有战争，流血，迷信到家庭事务到放逐等等一系列。其中有一类关于英国苏格兰边界流血冲突的民谣，被称作“边界民谣”。另外重要的还有罗宾汉民谣，它是关于好汉罗宾汉和他同伴的活动。罗宾汉是一位传奇性的英雄，他生活在狮心王理查德的统治时期（1189～1199）。他和伙伴们一起住在舍伍德森林。他们和压迫者作斗争，是穷人和被压迫者正当权益的捍卫者。