Bluegrass Messengers

Lord Randal- Hardman (WV) 1915 Cox C

[From J. H. Cox, version C, 1925, "Folk-Songs of the South." His notes follow. this version is considerably older than 1915, it would be hard to access a date.

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.

C.  "Lord Randal." Contributed by Miss Ada Keith, Harrisville, Ritchie County, December 14, 1915; learned from Mrs. Olive Rexwood, who learned it from her brother, George W. Hardman; all of Ritchie County.

1 "O where ha' you been, Lord Randal, my son?
O where ha' you been, my handsome young man?"
"I ha' been out courting pretty Polly; mother, make my bed  soon,
For I ha' a pain in my heart, and I want to lie down."

2 "Ha' you had your supper?"
"Yes, I've had my supper."

3 "What did you ha' for your supper?"
"I had fresh eels fried in butter."

4. "Do you think you will die?"
'Yes, I think I will die."

5. "What do you will to your father?"
"I will him house and dwelling."

6. "What do you will to your brother?"
"I will him horse, saddle, and bridle."

7. "What do you will to your sister?"
"I will her sweet heaven."