Taranty My Son- H. E. Krehbiel (NY- CT) 1905 Barry K
[My title. From: Traditional Ballads in New England II by Phillips Barry; The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 18, No. 70 (Jul. - Sep., 1905), pp. 191-214. In Bronson 5, the informant's last name is given- from Barry MS.
R. Matteson 2014]
K. [Taranty My Son] As sung for generations in the nursery in a family living in Pomfret, Conn., recorded by H. E. Krehbiel, New York, N. Y. Learned in Connecticut.
1. "Oh, where have you been, Taranty, my son?
Oh, where have you been, my dear little one?"
"To see my grandmother, mother make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at the heart, and faint to lie down."
2. "What had you for supper, Taranty, my son?
What had you for supper, my dear little one?"
"Eels, fried in batter, mother make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at the heart, and faint to lie down."
3. "What was their color, Taranty, my son?
What was their color, my dear little one ?"
"Green striped with yellow, mother make my bed soon,
For I 'm sick at the heart, and faint to lie down."
4. "What will you leave your mother, Taranty, my son?
What will you leave your mother, my dear little one?"
"A coach and six horses, mother make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at the heart, and faint to lie down."
5 " What will you leave your sister, Taranty, my son?
What will you leave your sister, my dear little one?"
"A box of rich jewels, mother make my bed soon,
For I 'm sick at the heart, and faint to lie down."
6 "What will you leave your brother, Taranty, my son?
What will you leave your brother, my dear little one?"
"A suit of fine clothes, mother make my bed soon,
For I 'm sick at the heart, and faint to lie down."
7 "What will you leave your grandmother, Taranty, my son?
What will you leave your grandmother, my dear little one ?"
"A rope for to hang her, mother make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at the heart, and faint to lie down."
8 "Where shall I make it, Taranty, my son?
Where shall I make it, my dear little one?"
"In a corner of the churchyard, mother make my bed soon,
For I'm so sick at the heart, and faint to lie down."