Johnny Randolph- Miller (WV) pre1916 Cox B
[My title. From J. H. Cox, version B, 1925, "Folk-Songs of the South." His notes follow. This version is considerably older- how much is hard to tell accurately.
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.
B. "Johnny Randolph." Communicated from Mr. Harrison Miller, Wardensville, Hardy County, January 24, 1916; obtained from his mother; learned from Susan Stewart; she, from her stepfather, John Jennings, who came from England.
1. "O where have you been, Johnny Randolph, my son?
O where have you been, my dear little one?"
"I've been courting my sweetheart; mother, make my bed soon,
I've a pain at my heart, and I want to lie down."
2. "Have you had your supper?"
"Yes, I've had my supper."
3. "What did you have for your supper?"
"Fried eels in fresh butter."
4. "What color was the eel?"
"Yellow and black spotted."
5. "What do you will to your father?"
"My farm and utensils."
6. "What do you will to your mother?"
"My house and my household."
7 "What do you will to your brother?"
"Horse, saddle, and bridle."
8 "What do you will to your sister?"
"The fairest in heaven."
9. "What do you will to your sweetheart?"
"Brimstone and hell-fire."