",but it has no more narrative than the Seeds of love"
I'm afraid the Cap'n is allowing his personal dislikes cloud his analysis of Lord Randal.
Of course it has a narrative - which is brilliantly teased out in question and answer form:
A young man comes home ill, is questioned by his mother and gradually reveals he has been poisoned. The final verses, again magnificently structured, eventually reveal his poisoner.
The Cap'n has made it clear he doesn't like the ballad; I can only say "I'm sorry for his loss".
I suggest he listens to Travelling woman Mary Delaney sing her version, 'Buried in Kilkenny' on Saturday afternoon on Lyric FM.
A number of the ballads use the question and answer form, quite often as a battle of wits (Captain Wedderburn's Courtship for example).
It is safe to assume that Child made the occasional mistake (and was inconsiderate enough to pop his clogs before he could explain his method of selection), but as far as I'm concerned he got enough right to add to my pleasure and knowledge for nearly half a century.
Here's to you Frank!!
Jim Carroll
PS For those who take some sort of pleasure in spotting the mistakes - you can add Bramble Briar (Bruton Town) to the ones he missed.