Lord Ronald- Willie Mathieson (Aber) 1890 Carpenter
[From: James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/5/1/Q, p. 08582. Here's an older version from Willie Mathieson who was also an informant for Grieg and Scottish School of Studies (1952 recording).
R. Matteson 2018]
Listen here: : http://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/en/fullrecord/18167/4
Lord Ronald- sung by Willie Mathieson of Denhead, near Turriff, as learned about 1890 from George Cruickshank.
1 "Where have you been wandering Lord Ronald, my son?
Where have you been wandering, my jolly young man?"
"I've been a- hunting, mother, mak my bed soon,
For I'm sick at the heart, an' I fain would lie doon."
2 "Have you got any supper, Lord Ronald, my son?
"Have you got any supper, my jolly young man?"
"O yes, I've had supper; mother, mak my bed soon,
For I'm sick at the heart, an' I fain would lie doon."
3 "What had you for supper, Lord Ronald, my son?
What had you for supper, my jolly young man?"
"Black fishes wi spreckled bellies; mother mak my bed soon,
For I'm sick at the heart, an' I fain would lie doon."
4 "What gae ye the supper, Lord Ronald, my son?
What gae ye the supper, my jolly young man?"
"My girl an' my sweetheart; mother, mak my bed soon,
For I'm sick at the heart, an' I fain would lie doon."
5 "I fear ye are poisoned, Lord Ronald, my son,
I fear ye are poisoned, my jolly young man,"
"O yes, I am poisoned; mother mak my bed soon,
For I'm sick at the heart, and I fain would lie doon.'
6 "Where got ye the fishes, Lord Ronald, my son?
Where got ye the fishes, my jollie young man?"
"In my father's black ditches; mother, mak my bed soon,
For I'm sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie doon."
7 'What will ye leave to your father, Lord Ronald my son
What will ye leave to your father, my jolly young man?'
"My houses and land; mother, mak my bed soon,
For I'm sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie doon."
8 'What will ye leave to your mother, Lord Ronald, my son?
What will ye leave to your mother, my jolly young man?"
My gold box and rings; mother, mak my bed soon,
For I'm sick at the heart, and I fain would lie doon."
9 'What will ye leave to your brother, Lord Ronald, my son?
What will ye leave to your brother, my jolly young man?"
"My chest an' my clothing mother, mak my bed soon,
For I'm sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie doon."
10. "What will ye leave to your sister, Lord Ronald, my son?
What will ye leave to your sister, my jolly young man?"
"My purses an' silver; mother, mak my bed soon,
For I'm sick at the heart, and I fain would lie doon."
11 "What will ye leave to your sweetheart, Lord Ronald, my son?
What will ye leave to your sweetheart, my jolly young man?"
"A rope an' the halter, for to hang on yon tree,
An' a' that she'll get for the poisoning of me."