Ranordine, Rinordine, Rinor
by H. M. Belden
The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 18, No. 71 (Oct. - Dec., 1905), p. 322
RANORDINE, RINORDINE, RINOR. - I should be very glad if any one would tell me, or put me in the way of finding out, what legend or tradition or folk-tale underlies the following song, especially the third, fifth, and sixth stanzas. I quote it here from a pocket song-book of the earlier part of the last century; it has also been printed recently, in a somewhat different form, in Trifet's (Boston) " Monthly Budget of Music." The song is current in Missouri and has been for a long time.
One evening as I rambled Two miles below Pomroy,
I met a farmer's daughter, All on the mountains high;
I said, my pretty fair maiden, Your beauty shines most clear,
And upon these lonely mountains, I'm glad to meet you here.
She said, young man, be civil, My company forsake,
For to my great opinion, I fear you are a rake;
And if my parents should know, My life they would destroy,
For keeping of your company, All on the mountains high.
I said, my dear, I am no rake, But brought up in Venus' train,
And looking out for concealments, All in the judge's name;
Your beauty has ensnared me, I cannot pass you by,
And with my gun I'll guard you, All on the mountains high.
This pretty little thing, She fell into amaze;
With her eyes as bright as amber, Upon me she did gaze;
Her cherry cheeks and ruby lips, They lost their former dye,
And then she fell into my arms; All on the mountains high.
I had but kissed her once or twice, Till she came to again;
She modestly then asked me, Pray, sir, what is your name ?
If you go to yonder forest, My castle you will find,
Wrote in ancient history; My name is Rinordine.
I said, my pretty fair maiden, Don't let your parents know,
For if ye do, they'll prove my ruin, And fatal overthrow;
But when you come to look for me, Perhaps you'll not me find,
But I '11 be in my castle ; And call for Rinordine.
Come all ye pretty fair maidens, A warning take by me,
And be sure you quit night walking And shun bad company;
For if you don't, you'll surely rue Until the day you die,
And beware of meeting Rinor, All on the mountains high.
H. M. Belden.
COLUMBIAM, O.