Published in The Song Tradition of Tristan da Cunha (Peter A. Munch, 1970) from the singing of Old Sam Swain (1857–1949). If he knew a tune, it was not recorded by Munch. Many of O.S.S.'s songs were learned from his father, Thomas H. Swain (1832–1885)—Munch did not specify if this was one of them. T.H.S. "had been away in sailing ships," lived 10 years in Capetown before returning to the island, and perished in a lifeboat accident that killed the majority of the grown men in the community. Also recorded from O.S.S. is "Whiskey Johnny" and several familiar nautical ballads (all with notated tunes). Honestly, this is probably of more interest for its location of collection than for its text.

Ranso was a mighty man,
Ranso—Ranso!
Ranso was a mighty man.

He shipped on board a whaler,
All along with Captain Taylor.

Ranso was a bad old sailor,
Ranso was a bad old sailor.

He sent him up in the forecastle,
He sent him up in the forecastle.

He called him up from down below,
And is [sic] up aloft that you must go.

Ranso 'came a good old man,
Ranso 'came a good old sailor.

He called him af' to the cabin,
And he gave him nine and thirty lashes.

And he called him down in the cabin,
He gave him wine and brandy.

Oh, Ranso 'came a handy man,
Ranso—Ranso!
Oh, he married a captain's daughter.