Johnny Randall- Lewis (Mo.) 1927; Randolph B
[From: Ozark Folk-Songs, Vol. 1 Ballads, British Ballads and Songs by Vance Randolph; 1946. One stanza with music. His notes follow.
R. Matteson 2014]
JOHNNY RANDOLPH
Most Ozark singers know this piece as "Johnny Randolph" or " Jimmy Randolph," but it was originally the old ballad of "Lord Randall" (Child, English and Scottish Popular Ballads, 1882-1898, No. 12) and is still current in England under that title. Cox (Folk-Songs of the South, 1925, p. 23) suggests that the name derives from John Randolph of Roanoke, a Virginia politician who died in 1833. However, it is certain that the name Randolph was somehow connected with this song in the Old World. Sir Walter Scott (Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, 1902 ed., III, p- 51) thinks it "not impossible that the ballad may have originally regarded the death of Thomas Randolph, or Randal, Earl of Murray, nephew to Robert Bruce, and Governor of Scotland. This great warrior died at Musselburgh, 1332. . . Our historians obsinately impute his death to poison."
B. Johnny Randall- Mr. William Lewis, Anderson, Mo., Oct. 4, 1927, sings some very similar words to a different melody.
"Oh where have you been, Johnny Randall, my son?
Oh where have you wandered, my dear little one?"
"I've been with my true love, oh make my bed soon,
I've a pain at my heart and I want to lie down."