Wooing and Death of John Randal- French (PA) 1919
[From North Pennsylvania Minstrelsy: as sung in the Backwood settlements, Hunting cabins and Lumber Camps in Northern Pennsylvania by Shoemaker, 1919. French's notes follow.
R. Matteson 2011, 2014]
"This is the version our earliest pioneers sang in Potter County, and a form of it has been given in the "Folk-Lore Journal." The latter verses about his funeral are less ideal; and the one added—bequest for his baby to be—is in bad taste, and had no place in the original as sung in Northern Pennsylvania."—John C. French.
71—WOOING AND DEATH OF JOHN RANDAL (Formerly Called Lord Randal) An Old English Ballad
Refrain: Mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at my stomach,
And fain would lie down.
Oh, where have you been, John Randal, my son?
Oh, where have you been, my loving sweet one?
Reply: A-courting; a-courting.—(Refrain, Mother, etc.)
What had you for supper, John Randall, my son?
What had you for supper, my loving, sweet one?
Reply: Speckled eels fried in butter.— (Refrain.)
(He ate rattlesnakes, self-bitten)
What do you will to your father, John Randal, my son?
What do you will to your father, my loving, sweet one?
Reply: Farm, crops and cattle.— (Refrain.)
What do you will to your mother, John Randal, my son?
What do you will to your mother, my loving, sweet one?
Reply: House, beds and bedding.— (Refrain.)
What do you will to your brother, John Randal, my son?
What do you will to your brother, my loving, sweet one?
Reply: Horse, bridle and saddle.— (Refrain.)
What do you will to your sister, John Randal, my son?
What do you will to your sister, my loving, sweet one?
Reply: A rope for to hang her.— (Refrain.)
(She and his fiancee conspired to poison him.)
What do you will to Pretty Polly, John Randal, my son?
What do you will to Pretty Polly, my loving, sweet one?
Reply: The curse of her Maker.—(Retrain.)
(His criminal sweetheart who poisoned him conspired with his sister.)