Tiranti, My Son- Child I; Nine US versions, 1797
[Although this is considered a New England title, versions with this title have been found in NC (Brown) and elsewhere. Phillips Barry claims that the assorted "Tiranti" titles came from a corruption of Tyrannus and not from Randall at all. He says that Tyrannus is rare and is mentioned in New England Genealogical Record.
Child lists seven versions in Vol. 1, 1882, but doesn't offer individual texts in Volume 1. He gives the text of I a and changes the order of the verses to conform with standard verses. The changes for other texts are found in the End Notes. In Volume 2, Additions and Corrections, 1883, he adds I h and I i, then he gives the changes for h and k [sic], which is a mistake and should be i. I'm adding the texts, assembled from the End Notes, for all nine below:
I. 'Tiranti, my Son.'
a. Communicated by a lady of Boston,
b. By an aunt of the same.
c. By a lady of New Bedford,
d. By a lady of Cambridge,
e. By ladies of Boston.
f. By ladies of Boston.
g. By ladies of Boston.
h. Communicated by Mr. George M. Richardson.
i. Communicated by Mr. George L. Kittredge.
Child adds the following: I, a version current in eastern Massachusetts, may be carried as far back as any. a, b derive from Elizabeth Foster, whose parents, both natives of eastern Massachusetts, settled, after their marriage, in Maine, where she was born in 1789. Elizabeth Foster's mother is remembered to have sung the ballad, and I am informed that the daughter must have learned it not long after 1789, since she was removed in her childhood from Maine to Massachusetts, and continued there till her death. 'Tiranti' ['Taranti'] may not improbably be a corruption of Lord Randal.
R. Matteson 2011, 2014]
TIRANTI, MY SON Child 12; Lord Randal; Version I
a. Communicated by Mrs. L.F. Wesselhoeft, of Boston, as sung to her when a child by her grandmother, Elizabeth Foster, born in Maine, who appears to have learned the ballad of her mother about 1800.
b. By a daughter of Elizabeth Foster, as learned about 1820.
c. By Miss Ellen Marston, of New Bedford, as learned from her mother, born 1778.
d. By Mrs. Cushing, of Cambridge, Mass., as learned in 1838 from a schoolmate, who is thought to have derived it from an old nurse.
e. By Mrs. Augustus Lowell, of Boston.
f. By Mrs. Edward Atkinson, of Boston, learned of Mrs. A. Lowell, in girlhood.
g. By Mrs. A. Lowell, as derived from a friend.
h. Communicated by Mr. George M. Richardson.
i. Communicated by Mr. George L. Kittredge.
TIRANTI, MY SON- Child I a.
a. Communicated by Mrs. L.F. Wesselhoeft, of Boston, as sung to her when a child by her grandmother, Elizabeth Foster, born in Maine, who appears to have learned the bal lad of her mother about 1800. [Verses 5. and 8. are as they appear in the original MS]
1. 'O where have you been, Tiranti, my son?
O where have you been, my sweet little one?'
'I have been to my grandmother's; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to my heart, and I'm faint to lie down.'
2. 'What did you have for your supper, Tiranti, my son?
What did you have for your supper, my sweet little one?'
'I had eels fried in butter; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to my heart, and I'm faint to lie down.'
3. 'Where did the eels come from, Tiranti, my son?
Where did the eels come from, my sweet little one?'
'From the corner of the haystack; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to my heart, and I'm faint to lie down.'
4. 'What color were the eels, Tiranti, my son?
What color were the eels, my sweet little one?'
'They were streaked and striped; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to my heart, and I'm faint to lie down.'
5. 'Where'll you have your bed made, Tiranti, my son?
Where'll you have your bed made, my sweet little one?'
'In the corner of the churchyard; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to my heart, and I'm faint to lie down.'
6. 'What'll you give to your mother, Tiranti, my son?
What'll you give to your mother, my sweet little one?'
'A coach and six horses; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to my heart, and I'm faint to lie down.'
7 'What'll you give to your grandmother, Tiranti, my son?
What'll you give to your grandmother, my sweet little one?'
'A halter to hang her; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to my heart, and I'm faint to lie down.'
8 'What'll you give to your father, Tiranti, my son?
What'll you give to your father, my sweet little one?'
'All my gold and my silver; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to my heart, and I'm faint to lie down.'
Footnotes Child Ia. :
I. a. 1[4], faint to, an obvious corruption of fain to, is found also in b, c; d has fain wad; e, faint or fain; f, fain; g, I faint to.
N. B. 8 stands 5 in the manuscript copy, but is the last stanza in all others which have it.
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TIRANTI, MY SON- Child I b.
b. By a daughter of Elizabeth Foster, as learned about 1820.
1. 'O where have you been, Tiranti, my son?
O where have you been, my sweet little one?'
'I have been to my grandmother's; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to my heart, and I'm faint to lie down.'
2. 'What did you have for your dinner, Tiranti, my son?
What did you have for your dinner, my sweet little one?'
'I had eels fried in butter; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to my heart, and I'm faint to lie down.'
3. 'Who cooked you the eels, Tiranti, my son?
'Who cooked you the eels, my sweet little one?'
'T was my grandmother; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to my heart, and I'm faint to lie down.'
4. 'What color were the eels, Tiranti, my son?
What color were the eels, my sweet little one?'
'They were streaked and striped; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to my heart, and I'm faint to lie down.'
5. Where did she get the eels, Tiranti, my son?
Where did she get the eels, my sweet little one?'
By the side of the haystack, mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to my heart, and I'm faint to lie down.'
6. 'What'll you give to your grandmother, Tiranti, my son?
What'll you give to your grandmother, my sweet little one?'
'A halter to hang her; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to my heart, and I'm faint to lie down.'
7. 'Where'll you have your bed made, Tiranti, my son?
Where'll you have your bed made, my sweet little one?'
'In the corner of the churchyard; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to my heart, and I'm faint to lie down.'
8. 'What'll you give to your father, Tiranti, my son?
What'll you give to your father, my sweet little one?'
'All my gold and my silver; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to my heart, and die to lie down.'
Footnotes Child I b. :
b. 2[1]. for your dinner.
After 2 follows:
Who cooked you the eels, Tiranti, my son? etc.
't was my grandmother;
mother, make my bed soon, etc.
b 5 = a 3: 1. Where did she get the eels? etc.
3. By the side of the haystack, etc.
b 6 = a 7: 7 = a 8: 8 = a 5.
8[4]. and die to lie down,
a 6 is wanting in b.
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TIRANTI, MY SON- Child I c.
c. By Miss Ellen Marston, of New Bedford, as learned from her mother, born 1778.
1. 'O where have you been, Tiranti, my son?
O where have you been, my sweet little one?'
'I have been to my grandmother's; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at my heart , and I'm faint to lie down.'
2. 'O what did she give you, Tiranti, my son?
O what did she give you, my sweet little one?'
'Striped eels fried in butter; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at my heart, and I'm faint to lie down.'
3. 'O how did they look, Tiranti, my son?
O how did they look, my sweet little one?'
Ringed, streaked, and speckled, mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at my heart, and I'm faint to lie down.'
4. O where did they come from, Tiranti, my son?
O where did they come from, my sweet little one?'
'From the corner of the haystack; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at my heart, and I'm faint to lie down.'
5. 'What what will you give your father, [Tiranti] my son?
O what what will give him, my sweet little one?'
'A coach and six horses; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at my heart, and I'm faint to lie down.'
6. 'O what will you give your mother, [Tiranti] my son?
O what will you give your mother, my sweet little one?'
'All my gold and my silver; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at my heart, and I'm faint to lie down.'
7 'O what will you give your granny, Tiranti, my son?
O what will you give your granny, my sweet little one?'
'A halter to hang her; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at my heart, and I'm faint to lie down.'
8 'Where'll you have your bed made, Tiranti, my son?
Where'll you have your bed made, my sweet little one?'
'In the corner of the churchyard; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at my heart, and I'm faint to lie down.'
9. So this is the end of, Tiranti, my son,
So this is the end of, my sweet little one:
His grandmother poisoned him with an old dead snake,
And he left her a halter to hang by the neck.
Footnotes Child I c. :
c. 1[4], at my heart (and always).
2[1]. O what did she give you? etc.
3. Striped eels fried, etc.
3 = a 4. 1 O how did they look? etc.
[3]. Ringed, streaked, and speckled, etc.
4 = a 3. [1]. O where did they come from?
5[1]. what will you give your father, my son?
[2]. O what will you give him?
[3]. A coach and six horses.
6[1]. O what will you give your mother, my son? as in 5.
[3]. All my gold and my silver.
7[1]. O what will you give your granny? as in 5.
8[1]. where'll, etc.
c adds, as 9:
So this is the end of Tiranti my son,
So this is the end of my sweet little one:
His grandmother poisoned him with an old dead snake,
And he left her a halter to hang by the neck.
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TYRANTE, MY SON- Child I d.
d. By Mrs. Cushing, of Cambridge, Mass., as learned in 1838 from a schoolmate, who is thought to have derived it from an old nurse.
1. 'O where have you been, Tyrante, my son?
O where have you been, my sweet little one?'
'I've been to my uncle's; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to my heart, and fain wad lie doun.'
2. 'What did you have for your supper, Tyrante, my son?
What did you have for your supper, my sweet little one?'
'I had eels and fresh butter; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to my heart, and fain wad lie doun.'
3. 'What color were the eels, Tyrante, my son?
What color were the eels, my sweet little one?'
'They were black striped with yellow; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to my heart, and fain wad lie doun.'
4. 'What'll ye will to your mither, Tirante, my son?
What'll ye will to your mither, my sweet little one?'
'My gold and my silver; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to my heart, and fain wad lie doun.'
5. 'What'll ye will to your father, Tirante, my son?
What'll you give to your father, my sweet little one?'
'My coach and my horses, mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to my heart, and fain wad lie doun.'
6. 'What'll you will to your uncle, Tirante, my son?
What'll you will to your uncle, my sweet little one?'
'*A halter to hang him; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to my heart, and fain wad lie doun.'
* notes are unclear- this is the only logical solution
Footnotes- Child Id. 1[1], etc. Tyrante.
3. I've been to my uncle's, etc.
4. and fain wad lie doun.
2[3]. eels and fresh butter.
3 = a 4. 3. black striped with yellow.
4 = a 7. 1. What'll ye will to your mither?
3. My gold and my silver.
5 = a 6. 1. What'll ye will to your father?
3. My coach and my horses.
6 = a 8. 1 What'll you will to your uncle?
3, 5 of a are wanting.
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TIRANTI, MY SON- Child Ie.
e. By Mrs. Augustus Lowell, of Boston. [pre-1850, e, f, and g are all apparently from he same informant, although g is a different version from a friend]
1. 'O where have you been, Tiranti, my son?
O where have you been, my sweet little one?'
'I have been to my grandmother's; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at heart, and fain to lie down.'
2. 'What did you have for your supper, Tiranti, my son?
What did you have for your supper, my sweet little one?'
'I had eels fried in butter; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at heart, and fain to lie down.'
3. 'What will you leave your mother, Tiranti, my son?
What will you leave your mother, my sweet little one?'
'A coach and six horses; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at heart, and fain to lie down.'
4. What will you leave your sister, Tiranti, my son?
What will you leave your sister, my sweet little one?'
A box of fine clothing; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at heart, and fain to lie down.'
5. 'What'll you give to your grandmother, Tiranti, my son?
What'll you give to your grandmother, my sweet little one?'
A rope to hang her with; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at heart, and fain to lie down.'
6.* 'Where shall I make it, Tiranti, my son?
'Where shall I make it, my sweet little one?'
'In the corner of the churchyard; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at heart, and fain to lie down.'
* The footnotes are incomplete, I assume 6. is as I've assembled it.
Footnotes Child Ie. :
I. e. 1[4]. For I 'm sick at heart, and faint [fain] to lie down.
3 = a 7. 1. What will you leave your mother?
3. A box full of jewels.
4[1]. What will you leave your sister?
3. A box of fine clothing.
5 = a 8. 3. A rope to hang her with.
6 = a 5. 1. Where shall I make it?
3, 4 of a are wanting.
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TIRANTI, MY SON- Child If.
f. By Mrs. Augustus Lowell, of Boston. [No date given, pre-1850; see above, version by same informant]
1. 'O where have you been, Tiranti, my son?
O where have you been, my sweet little one?'
'I have been to my grandmother's; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at heart, and fain to lie down.'
2. 'What did you have for your supper, Tiranti, my son?
What did you have for your supper, my sweet little one?'
'I had eels fried in butter; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at heart, and fain to lie down.'
3. What will you leave your sister, Tiranti, my son?
What will you leave your sister, my sweet little one?'
A box of fine clothing; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at heart, and fain to lie down.'
4. 'What will you leave your mother, Tiranti, my son?
What will you leave your mother, my sweet little one?'
'A coach and six horses; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at heart, and fain to lie down.'
5. 'What'll you give to your grandmother, Tiranti, my son?
What'll you give to your grandmother, my sweet little one?'
A rope to hang her with; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at heart, and fain to lie down.'
6.* 'Where shall I make it, Tiranti, my son?
'Where shall I make it, my sweet little one?'
'In the corner of the churchyard; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at heart, and fain to lie down.'
* The footnotes are incomplete, I assume 6. is as I've assembled it.
Footnotes Child If. :
f. This copy was derived from the singing of the lady who communicated e, and they naturally agree closely.
1[4], fain to lie down.
f 3 = e 4;
f 4 = e 3.
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TIRANTI, MY SON- Child I g.
g. By Mrs. A. Lowell, as derived from a friend. [Apparently same informant as e and f but a different version]
1. 'O where have you been, Tiranti, my son?
O where have you been, my sweet little one?'
'I have been to my grandmother's; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at the heart, and I faint to lie down.'
2. 'What did you get at your grandmother's, Tiranti, my son?
What did you get at your grandmother's, my sweet little one?'
'I got eels stewed in butter; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at the heart, and I faint to lie down.'
3. 'What will you leave to your father, Tiranti, my son?
'What will you leave to your father, my sweet little one?'
'All my gold and my silver; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at the heart, and I faint to lie down.'
4. 'What will you leave to your brother, Tiranti, my son?
What will you leave to your brother, my sweet little one?'
'A full suit of mourning; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at the heart, and I faint to lie down.'
5. 'What will you leave to your mother, Tiranti, my son?
What will you leave to your mother, my sweet little one?'
'A carriage and fine horses; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to my heart, and I'm faint to lie down.'
6. 'Where'll you have your bed made, Tiranti, my son?
Where'll you have your bed made, my sweet little one?'
'In the corner of the churchyard; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to my heart, and I'm faint to lie down.'
Footnotes Child I g:
g. 1[4]. For I'm sick at the heart, and I faint to lie down.
2[1]. What did you get at your grandmother's?
3. I got eels stewed in butter.
3 = a 8. 1 What will you leave ...
4[1] . What will you leave to your brother?
3. A full suit of mourning.
5 = a 7. 1. leave to your mother.
3. A carriage and fine horses.
6 = a 5.
3, 4 of a are wanting.
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TIRANTI, MY SON- Child I h.
I. h. By Mr. George M. Richardson, as learned by a lady in Southern New Hampshire, about fifty years ago, from an aged aunt.
1. 'O where have you been, Tiranti, my son?
O where have you been, my own little one?'
'I have been to my grandmother's; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at the heart, and I'm fain to lie down.'
2. 'What did you have for your supper, Tiranti, my son?
What did you have for your supper, my own little one?'
'I had eels fried in butter; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at my heart, and I'm fain to lie down.'
3. 'What will you leave mother, Tiranti, my son?
What will you leave mother, my own little one?'
'A coach and six horses; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at my heart, and I'm fain to lie down.'
4. 'What will you leave grandma, Tiranti, my son?
What will you leave grandam, my own little one?'
'A rope to hang her; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at my heart, and I'm fain to lie down.'
Footnotes:
I. h. Four stanzas only, 1, 2, 6, 7,
12, my own little one,
14, at the heart ... and fain,
61. will you leave mother.
71. will you leave grandma.
73, a rope.
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TIRANTI, MY SON- Child I i.
i. By Mr. George L. Kittredge, obtained from a lady in Exeter, N.H.
1. 'O where have you been, Tiranti, my son?
O where have you been, my sweet little one?'
'I have been to see grandmother; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at heart, and I'm fain to lie down.'
2. 'What did you have for your supper, Tiranti, my son?
What did you have for your supper, my sweet little one?'
'Striped eels fried in butter; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at heart, and I'm fain to lie down.'
3. 'Your grandmother has poisoned you, Tiranti, my son?
Your grandmother has poisoned you, my sweet little one?'
'I know it, I know it; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at heart, and I'm fain to lie down.'
4. 'What would you leave mother, Tiranti, my son?
What would you leave mother, my sweet little one?'
'A coach and six horses; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at heart, and I'm fain to lie down.'
5. 'What would you leave sister, Tiranti, my son?
What would you leave sister, my sweet little one?'
'A box full of jewels; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at heart, and I'm fain to lie down.'
6.'What would you leave grandmother, Tiranti, my son?
What would you leave grandmother, my sweet little one?'
'A rope for to hang her; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at heart, and I'm fain to lie down.'
7. 'O where shall I make it, Tiranti, my son?
O where shall I make it, my sweet little one?'
'A rope for to hang her; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at heart, and I'm fain to lie down.'
Footnotes for changes for I i, incorrectly labeled as k.
k. Seven stanzas.
13, to see grandmother.
14. sick at beart, and fain.
23. Striped eels fried.
3 = a 6, d 5, h 3.
31,2, Your grandmother has poisoned you,
33. I know it, I know it,
4 = a 6,
41,2. would you leave mother.
5 = a 8, b 9, h 7.
51,2. would you leave sister.
53. A box full of jewels.
6 = a 7; 7 = a 8.
61,2. would you leave grandmother.
63. A rope for to hang her,
71,2. O where shall I make it.