Hi,

This Irish "pretty boy" version dates into the 1800s. It was given in a short article written by Joseph J. MacSweeney (The Modern Language Review, Vol. 13, No. 3; July, 1918, pp. 325-327). His source is his mother about 1912, who learned it near Blarney in the County Cork. She is also his source for Child 3. Apparently, she learned both about 50 years ago in the 1860s (see: notes for False Knight, 1912). MacSweeney comments:

"I know the ballad to be current in Ireland and I give the following version exactly as I heard it:"

'Where were you all day, my own pretty boy?
Where were you all day, my comfort and joy?'
'I was fishing and fowling; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to the heart, and I want to lie down.'

'What will you leave your father, my own pretty boy?
What will you leave your father, my comfort and joy?'
'My house and my lands; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to the heart, and I want to lie down.'

'What will you leave your sister, my own pretty boy ?
What will you leave your sister, my comfort and joy?'
'My carriage and four, mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to the heart, and I want to lie down.'

'What will you leave your brother, my own pretty boy?
What will you leave your brother, my comfort and joy?'
'My boots and my spurs; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to the heart, and I want to lie down.'

'What will you leave your wife, my own pretty boy?
What will you leave your' wife, my comfort and joy?'
'A rope for to hang her; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick to the heart, and I want to lie down.'

* * * *

Richie