O Son, Dear Son- Kathleen Ward (Galway) c.1956 REC
[From Song Collectors .org (travellers website). Collected by Sam Lee: songcollectors.org/tradition-beare…/kathleen-ward/1
Only the second stanza is completely Lord Randal, the other are mixed with the Edward form but still use lines from Lord Randal (i.e. "fishin' and fowlin).
R. Matteson 2018]
"O Son, Dear Son" a composite sung by Kathleen Ward of Kilconnell, County Galway, Ireland in May 2016, known for 60 years (c.1956).
1. "O son, dear son, O come tell it unto me,
O where were you, this long summer's evening?"
"I went fishin' an' fowlin'; sister, show mercy,
O mamaw, O pardon me."
2. What had you for breakfast, my dear and my darling (die)
What had you for breakfast, my darling fine one
O fresh eels and slow poison, mama, make my bed soon,
Fresh eels and slow poison, and I meant to lie down."
3. "O son, dear son, O come tell it unto me,
What will you do with yer two little children?
I'll give them to my daddy and the other to my mammy,
O, to keep them company, O mamaw pardon me.
4."O son, dear son, O come tell it unto me,
What will ye do with your house and land?"
"I will leave it there to the birds in the air,
And [tell them] there to mourn for me,
So mamaw pardon me.
5. "O son, dear son, O come tell it unto me,
What will you do with yer dear beloved wife?
I'll give her the bag and the bottle,
O, to hunt the counterie, O, to hunt the counterie
Then mamaw pardon me.
6. O son, dear son, O come tell it unto me
What will you do with your two gray hounds?
I will take their straps all off of their neck,
And for me they'll race no more
7. O son, dear son, O come tell it unto me
What will you do with your two race horses?
I will take their bridal off their head
And for me they'll race no more,
Then mamaw pardon me.