Hi,

This is the first documented version with the Randall (Randal) name. It was collected in Suffolk and later sent in a letter dated April 19, 1775 written by Rev. P. Parsons of Wye. Child did not have the Percy Papers when he wrote Volume 1 and the headnotes to Lord Randal. Child took the Randal title from Scott who said that the common Scottish title was "Lord Ronald" as was further documented by Carpenter versions. I've taken the text directly from a copy of Parsons' letter to Percy:

Titled, "Ballad," by Parsons: found ESPB in Additions and Corrections in the second volume.

Parsons commented: "All the Songs that I have enclosed are Original, at least to me – That one on the other side [Randall my Son], a Friend took from the Spinning Wheel in Suffolk-"

There are some minor differences:

lines 13 and 16 Child inserts "the," has "sick at the heart"
line 23 Child has "I have"
line 41 Child has "colour"

There are no hyphens in Child's transcription-- all taken out and the incorrect capital letters have been changed:

       Ballad   

1
Where have you been to-day, Randall my Son?
Where have you been to-day, my Only Man?
“I have been hunting, Mother; - make my bed soon
“For I am Sick at heart,- fain wou’d lie down
“Dear Sister, hold my head, Dear Mother make my bed
“For I am Sick at heart, - fain wou’d lie down

2
What have you eat to-day, Randall my Son?
What have you eat to-day, my only man?
“I’ve eat an Eel, Mother; - make my Bed soon
“For I am sick at heart – fain wou’d lie down
“Dear Sister, hold &c

3
Who gave you Eels to-day, Randall my Son?
Who gave you Eels to-day, my Only Man?
“My own Sweetheart, Mother, - make my bed soon
“For I am Sick at heart – fain wou’d lie down
“Dear Sister, hold &c

4
What was the Color of it, Randall my Son?
What was the Color of it, my only man?
“It was neither green, grey, blue, nor black
“But speckled on the Back – make my bed soon
“For I am Sick at heart – fain would lie down
“Dear Sister, hold &c

5
Where Shall I make your Bed, Randall my Son?
Where shall I make your Bed, my Only Man?
“In the Church-yard, Mother, make my bed soon
“For I am Sick at heart – fain would lie down
“Dear Sister, hold &c

6
What will you leave her then, Randall my Son?
What will you leave her then, my only man?
“A Halter to hang her, Mother – make my bed soon
“For I am Sick at heart – fain would lie down
“Dear Sister, hold &c

* * * *

Richie