Johnny Randolph- Hayes (Ark.) 1920 Randolph A
[From: Ozark Folk-Songs, Vol. 1 Ballads, British Ballads and Songs by Vance Randolph; 1946. 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 obstinately impute his death to poison."
A. Johnny Randolph. Sung by Miss Lisbeth Hayes, Fayetteville, Ark., Jan. 12, 1920.
"Oh where have you been, Johnny Randolph, my son?"
Oh where have you wandered, my dear little one?
"I et[1] at my true love's, oh make my bed soon,
I have a pain at my heart and I want to lie down."
Oh what did she give you, Johnny Randolph, my son?
Oh what did she give you, my dear little one?
She give me black pizen, oh make my bed soon,
I think I will die, an' I want to lay down.
Oh what do you will to your sweetheart, my son,
Oh what do you will her, my dear little one?
Hell's fire an' hot brimstone, oh make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to my heart, an' I want to lay down.
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