Fileander, My Son- J. G. Marcy (VT) 1904 Barry Q; Flanders K
[My title. Traditional Ballads in New England II by Phillips Barry; The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 18, No. 70 (Jul. - Sep., 1905), pp. 191-214. Barry only gives the initials, informant's name given by Flanders in Ancient Ballads, version K. Marcy was a wheelwright in Vermont.
R. Matteson 2014]
Q. [Fileander, My Son.] Taken down by me October 11, 1904, from the recitation of J. G. Marcy, Newbury, Vermont.
1. "Oh, where have you been, Fileander, my son?
Oh, where have you been, my sweet pretty one?"
"I've been to see grandmother, mother make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at my heart, and I want to lie down."
2. "And what did you have for supper, Fileander, my son?
And what did you have for supper, my sweet pretty one?"
"Eels, fried in fresh butter, mother make my bed soon,
For I 'm sick at my heart, and I want to lie down."
3. "Oh, what did you will your grandmother, Fileander, my son?
Oh, what did you will your grandmother, my sweet pretty one?"
"Hell-fire and damnation, mother make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at my heart, and I want to lie down."