Ronald J. Fontenot’s “Robin Hood the Legend” Brings Medieval Myth to a Folk-Rock Groove
At a time when pop music is often drenched in overproduction and digital gloss, Ronald J. Fontenot’s latest single, Robin Hood the Legend (feat. Tim Moyo), is refreshingly raw and immediate. A stripped-down folk-rock anthem, the song blends a medieval ballad structure with contemporary storytelling, making for an infectious, chant-worthy ride through Sherwood Forest.
Fontenot, known for his knack for lyrical storytelling, goes all in on the legend of Robin Hood, crafting a hook-laden, singalong-ready tribute to the outlaw who stole from the rich and gave to the poor. The track opens with a strummed acoustic guitar, soon accompanied by a flute-like melody that mirrors the vocal line—a smart touch that adds an air of old-world mysticism. Tucked subtly into the mix are brassy flourishes, lending just enough grandeur without overwhelming the song’s folk roots.
The rhythm section keeps things simple, with percussion that drives the track without overshadowing its lyrical focus. And that focus? A hypnotic, repeated refrain of “Robin Hood, Robin Hood,” drilling the legendary hero’s name into your brain with a folk-song persistence reminiscent of Woody Guthrie or Pete Seeger. This is a song designed to be sung around a fire, passed from voice to voice, just as Robin Hood’s legend has endured through centuries of retelling.
Tim Moyo’s vocals deliver the story with an earnest, troubadour-like quality. There’s a theatricality to his delivery, almost as if this could be the opening number in a modern folk opera. The lyrics paint a broad but vivid picture: “King of the bow / Outlaw hero / Robin Hood / Robin Hood” establishes the song’s subject in the clearest possible terms. Verses about his exploits—robbing the rich, giving to the poor, outwitting the Sheriff—follow in rhythmic succession, driving home the idea that this is a story too legendary to fade.
While the melody is straightforward and unchanging, that seems to be by design. Fontenot understands that folk storytelling thrives on repetition, on the communal act of knowing what’s coming next and reveling in the familiarity. This is a song built for participation, a modern folk song that invites audiences to sing along.
Does Robin Hood the Legend reinvent the wheel? Not exactly. But it doesn’t have to. Fontenot and Moyo’s collaboration succeeds in distilling the essence of folk storytelling into a four-minute, effortlessly catchy tune that feels both timeless and fresh. In a world that could use a few more heroes, it’s nice to have an anthem for one of the greatest legends of all time.
