Tyrante My Son- J.E.W. (Mass.) 1904 Barry I
[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. Bronson (No. 12), notes the tune is identical to Linscott's, "Durante my Son."
R. Matteson 2011, 2014]
I. [Tyrante My Son.] Communicated to me September 16, 1904, by J. E. W., Boston, Mass., as recollected by G. B.
1. "Oh, where have you been, Tyrante, my son?
Oh, where have you been, my dear little one?" (poor?) (sweet?)
"I have been to my grandmother's, mother make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at the heart, and would fain lay me doon."
2. "Oh, what gat you to eat, Tyrante, my son?
Oh, what gat you to eat, my dear little one?"
"Striped eels, fried in batter, mother make my bed soon,
For I 'm sick at the heart, and would fain lay me doon."
3. "Oh, where are your blood-hounds, Tyrante, my son?
Oh, where are your blood-hounds, my dear little one?"
"Oh, they swelled up and burst, mother make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at the heart, and would fain lay me doon."
4. "Oh, I fear you are poisoned, Tyrante, my son!
Oh, I fear you are poisoned, my dear little one!"
"Oh, yes! I am poisoned, mother make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at the heart, and would fain lay me doon."
5. "Oh, where shall I make your bed, Tyrante, my son?
Where shall I make your bed, my dear little one?"
"Make my bed in the kirkyard, mother make my bed soon,
For I 'm sick at the heart, and would fain lay me doon."