I have read several threads which mention Lord Randall as very old, the evidence being it's many and widespread variants and I thought it might be a good idea to pull them together in one place.

The Billy boy discussion seems to point to a reworking, or at least starting from the basics of Lord Randall creating a new kind of song. It occurred to me that Ilkley Moor Baht 'at is also very similar. While I have no reason to doubt any of Geoff the Duck's very clear explanation of the writing of that song origin of On Ilkley Moor Baht 'at I don't think that stops it having roots in an older song that the author is likely to have heard, the old unconcious plagiarism. Where are you going Lord Ramble my son.

Anyway to come back to the point of my inquiry; what songs do people know to be, or even think may be derived from "Lord Randall" and just how old is Lord Randall anyway?