Lord Randal- McKinney (WV) 1916 Cox A
[From J. H. Cox, version A, 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.
A. "Lord Randal." Contributed by Miss Polly McKinney, Sophia, Randolph County, February 2, 1916, who writes: "I am sending it to you as I learned it from my aunt. My grandmother says Lord Randal's name was William V and that the song is sometimes sung 'William, my son/ instead of 'Lord Randal.' "
1 "O where have you been, Lord Randal, my son?
O where have you been, my handsome young man?"
"I ha' been to the greenwood; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm wearied wi' hunting, and would freely lie down."
2 "Where did you stay last night, Lord Randal, my son?
Where did you stay last night, my handsome young man?"
"I stayed wi' my true-love; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm wearied wi' hunting, and would freely lie down."
3 "What did you eat for your supper, Lord Randal, my son?
What did you eat for your supper, my handsome young man?"
"Fried eels and fresh butter; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to my heart, and would freely lie down."
4 "What do you will to your father?"
"A dead son to bury."
5 "What do you will to your mother?"
"My trunk full of money."
6 "What do you will to your brother?"
"My land and my houses."
7 "What do you will to your sister?"
"My town in yon island."
8 "What do you will to your uncle?"
"My horses and saddle."
9 "What do you will to your sweetheart?"
"A rope for to hang her."