Brian- I didn't see your post- yes I'm satisfied the Nora Hicks version is authentic. She has several recording (Abrams collection) but not this one. You're on your own as far as the melody.

I'm working on US version of Lord Randal now- and I saw you covered the Case version (Missouri) but left off two verses, I was just wondering about it. Also what date was that learned by Case from her family? Could you figure that out.

I wrote a comic bit on "Lord Randal" at the beginning of the Child section here:

http://www.bluegrassmessengers.com/12-lord-randal.aspx

Not sure if I got the dialect- just flew of the top of my head.

Richie