[Henry my Son] Lord Randal- Shapiro (WV) 1916 Cox version E
[My title. From J. H. Cox, version E, 1925, "Folk-Songs of the South." His notes follow.
R. Matteson 2014]
4. LORD RANDAL (Child, No. 12)
Twelve variants have been recovered in West Virginia, under the titles "Lord Randal," "Johnny Randolph," "Johnny Randal," "Johnny Ramsey," and "Johnny Reeler." A, B, C, D, and E, are all fine vigorous ballads, telling practically the same story, except in E, where the hero has been to visit his sister. In A the lover has been to the greenwood, spent the night with his true-love, and had for supper fried eels and fresh butter. In form and content, it is most like Child A, but verbal similarities and the refrain connect it with Child B, D, E, and F. B resembles most closely Child B, but shows other relations. The refrain is similar to that of Child H. The title is no doubt due to the fame of John Randolph of Virginia. C is so similar in arrangement and diction to B that further comment is unnecessary. D, while not so complete as B and C, belongs to the same group. E shows many variations from the preceding ballads. The name "Henry" suggests the "King Henry" of Child C. The red, black, and yellow poison may be an echo from Child B. "Ropes to hang her" suggests Child B and I. The statement that he had been to his sister's may be a corruption for grandmother's or stepmother's. Cf . Child I, J, K, L, M, N, and O. The remaining variants are more or less incomplete and need no special comment. C was printed by Cox, XIV, 266.
Scores of variants have been collected in this country, and new copies keep coming in from various states: see references in Journal, xxix, 157; xxx, 289; xxxv, 339- Add Shoemaker, p. 123; Pound, No. 1; Bulletin, Nos. 7-10.
E. [Henry, My Son] No local title. Communicated by Mr, W. H. S. White, Piedmont, Mineral County, January 28, 1916; obtained from Miss Gertrude Shapiro, who got it from her mother.
1. "Where have you been all day, Henry, my son?
Where have you been all day, my loving one?"
"Up sister's, up sister's; make my bed soon,
For there's a pain in my side, and I must lie down and die."
2. "What did she give you there?"
"Poison, poison."
3. "What color was the poison?"
"Red, black, yellow, red, black, yellow."
4. "What will you leave for father?"
"Watch and chain, watch and chain."
5. "What will you leave for mother?"
"Silk and satin, silk and satin."
6. "What will you leave for brother?"
"Toys, toys."
7. "What will you leave for baby?"
"A kiss from Henry, a kiss from Henry."
8. "What will you leave for sister?"
"Ropes to hang her, ropes to hang her."