Tarranty, My Son- Hussey (NJ-NY) 1907 BFSSNE Barry
[From BFSSNE Vol. 1, p. 4, Phillips Barry, with music. one of two dozen version Barry collected in the early 1900s. Barry's notes follow.
R. Matteson 2014]
For the origin of the name "Tyranty", "Tarranty", etc., see Barry, Eckstorm and Smith, "British Ballads from Maine": pp. 66-7. We have lately been informed that in Orland, Maine, one says "Tyranty my son," and "Tyranty, my daughter," the name being thus used indiscriminately.
Versions of the "grandmother" form of this ballad are particularly desirable of record, in order to complete the history of the diffusion of what seems to be a special Maine development of "Lord Randall."
TARRANTY, MY SON (Child 12: Lord Randall.)- Recorded by P.B., May 8, 1907, from the singing of Miss S. H. Hussey, Vineland, New Jersey as sung by farm hands in Duchess Co., New York.
1. "Oh, where have you been, Tarranty, my son?
Oh, where have you been, my dear little one?"
"I have been to see Franny, mother make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to the heart and I fain would lie down."
2. "Oh, what did she give you, Tarranty my son?
Oh, what did she give you, my dear little one?"
"Striped eels, fried in butter, mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to the heart, and I fain would lie down."