Lord Ronald- Elsie Miln (Aber) c.1931 Carpenter
[Fragment with music from: James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/4/L, p. 07502. Extended last stanza.
R. Matteson 2018]
Lord Ronald- sung by Miss Elsie Miln of The Cottage, Kennethmont, Scotland, about 1931.
1 "What ails you, what ails you, Lord Ronald, my son?
What ails you, Lord Ronald, my jolly young man?"
"O mother, I'm poisoned you'll mak my bed soon,
For I'm sick at the hert, an' I'd fain lie doon."
2 "What got ye for supper, Lord Ronald, my son?
"What got ye for supper, my jolly young man?"
"A dish o' small fishes, mother mak my bed soon,
For I'm sick at the hert, an' I'd fain lie doon."
3 "What'll ye leave tee your brother, Lord Ronald my son
What'll ye leave tee your brother, my jolly young man?
"My hooses an' lands, mother, mak my bed soon,
For I'm sick at the hert, an' I'd fain lie doon."
4 "What'll ye leave tee your sister, Lord Ronald, my son?
What'll ye leave tee your sister, my jolly young man?"
My horses and my carriage, mother, mak my bed soon,
For I'm sick at the hert, an' I'd fain lie doon."
5. "What'll ye leave tee your sweetheart, Lord Ronald, my son?
What'll ye leave tee your sweetheart, my jolly young man?"
"A tow an' a halter, mother, mak my bed soon,
For I'm sick at the hert, an' I'd fain lie doon."
6. "A tow an' a halter, for tee hang on a tree,
A tow an' a halter for the poisoning o' me."
"A tow an' a halter, mother, mak my bed soon,
For I'm sick at the hert, an' I'd fain lie doon."