Fair Nelson, My Son- Mrs. R.B.Cobleigh (Vermont) 1805 Barry R; Flanders E
[From: Traditional Ballads in New England. III by Phillips Barry; The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 18, No. 71 (Oct. - Dec., 1905), pp. 291-304. Barry only identifies the informant as R.B.C.--Flanders gives the last name of the informant in Ancient Ballads.
R. Matteson 2011, 2014]
R. [Fair Nelson, My Son] Taken down by me, October 10, 1905, from the singing of Mrs. R. B. Cobleigh, Newbury, Vt., in whose family it has been traditional for a century.
1. "Oh, where have you been a-courting, Fair Nelson, my son?
Oh, where have you been a-courting, my fair, - you are a pretty one!"
"I've been courting my Julia, mother make my bed soon,
For I 'm sick to my heart, and I long to lie down."
2. "What did you have for your breakfast, Fair Nelson, my son?
What did you have for your breakfast, my fair, - you are a pretty one!"
"Eels; fried in batter, mother make my bed soon,
For I 'm sick to my heart, and I long to lie down."
3. "What will you will to your father, fair Nelson, my son?
What will you will to your father, my fair, - you are a pretty one!"
"My land and my houses, mother make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to my heart, and I long to lie down."
4. "What will you will to your mother, Fair Nelson, my son?
What will you will to your mother, my fair, - you are a pretty one!"
"My gold and my silver, mother make my bed soon,
For I 'm sick to my heart, and I long to lie down."
5. "What will you will to your Julia, Fair Nelson, my son?
What will you will to your Julia, my fair, - you are a pretty one!"
"Hell-fire and brimstone, mother make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to my heart, and I long to lie down."