The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #65990   Message #3630374
Posted By: Steve Gardham
04-Jun-14 - 06:28 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Billy Boy
Subject: RE: Origins: Billy Boy
It's also worth pointing out that the earliest versions of LR in English do not have the 'all the day' phrase, so this may be an interloper from BB. 'O where ha you been, Lord Randal, my son?' has more in common with 'Edward' and related ballads. The 'all the day' phrase doesn't creep in until after c1825.