Jimmy Randal- Begley (KY) 1952 Roberts
[From: In the Pine; Roberts 1978. An excerpt of Roberts'/Agey's notes follow.
R. Matteson 2014]
In Kentucky the ballad is not so widespread. There are two texts in BB, one in SharpK, one each in FSKM and Kysyll, and I have seven in my collection. The present one was turned in to D. K. Wilgus of Western Kentucky University in 1952 by Blanche Dingus from Mrs. Amy Begley, both of Floyd County (printed in KFR, 2(1956), p. 56).
Where have you been, Jimmy Randal, my son?
Where have you been, my handsome young one?
I've been to my true love, Mama,
I've been to my true love, Mama,
O make my bed soon,
Cause I'm sick to the heart
And I fain would lie down.
Where are your hounds, Jimmy Randal, my son?
Where are your hounds, my handsome young one?
They swelled up and died, Mama,
They swelled up and died, Mama,
O make my bed soon
Cause I'm sick to the heart
And I fain would lie down.
What did you eat, Jimmy Randal, my son?
What did you eat, my handsome young one?
Some fried eels and onions, Mama,
Some fried eels and onions, Mama,
O make my bed soon
Cause I'm sick to the heart
And I fain would lie down.
I fear you are poisoned, Jimmy Randal, my son?
I fear you are poisoned, my handsome young one?
O yes, I am posoned, Mama,
O yes I am poisoned, Mama,
O make my bed soon
Cause I'm sick to the heart
And I fain would lie down.