Randall, My Son- Ferguson (KY-MS) 1936 Hudson B
[My title. Hudson, Folksongs of Mississippi, 1936. This is properly a Kentucky version. The "come" as in "Come Randall my son," is probably a mishearing of "Lord."
R. Matteson 2014]
B. [Randall, My Son] From Mr. George F. Swetnam, University; copied by him from the singingof his mother, Mrs. Flora Stafford Swetnam, who learned it from Mrs. Lou Ferguson, Blaine, Kentucky.
1 "Oh, where have you been? Come, Randall, my son,
Oh, where have you been, my sweet and pretty one?"
"I've been to see my truelove, mother. Make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to the heart and would freely lie down."
2 "What did you have for your supper? Come, Randall, my son,
what did you have for your supper, my sweet and pretty one?"
"I had eels fried in butter, mother. Make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to the heart and would freely lie down."
3 "What do you will to your father, Come, Randall, my son,
what do you will to your father, my sweet and pretty one?"
"My love and good wishes, mother. Make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to the heart and would freely lie down."
4 "What do you will to your mother? Come, Randall, my son,
what do you will to your mother, my sweet and pretty one?"
"My trunk full of money, mother. Make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to the heart and would freely lie down."
5 "What do you will to your sister? Come, Randall, my son.
What do you will to your sister, my sweet and pretty one?"
"My bed and fine bed-clothes' mother. Make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to the heart and would freely lie down."
6 "What do you will to your sweetheart? Come, Randall, my son.
What do you will to your sweetheart, my sweet and pretty one?"
"A rope for to hang her on, mother. Make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to the heart and would freely lie down."