The English and Scottish Popular Ballads Edited by Francis James Child. |
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The English and Scottish Popular Ballads | ||
LORD RANDAL—S
[_]
Communicated to Percy by Rev. P. Parsons, of Wye, near Ashford, Kent, April 19, 1775: taken down by a friend of Mr Parsons “from the spinning-wheel, in Suffolk.”
1
‘Where have you been today, Randall, my son?Where have you been today, my only man?’
‘I have been a hunting, mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at the heart, fain woud lie down.
Dear sister, hold my head, dear mother, make my bed,
I am sick at the heart, fain woud lie down.’
2
‘What have you eat today, Randal, my son?What have you eat today, my only man?’
‘I have eat an eel; mother, make,’ etc.
3
‘What was the colour of it, Randal, my son?What was the colour of it, my only man?’
‘It was neither green, grey, blue nor black,
But speckled on the back; make,’ etc.
4
‘Who gave you eels today, Randal, my son?Who gave you eels today, my only man?’
‘My own sweetheart; mother, make,’ etc.
5
‘Where shall I make your bed, Randal, my son?Where shall I make your bed, my only man?’
‘In the churchyard; mother, make,’ etc.
6
‘What will you leave her then, Randall, my son?What will you leave her then, my only man?’
‘A halter to hang herself; make,’ etc.
The English and Scottish Popular Ballads | ||