The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #164528   Message #3940585
Posted By: Mick Pearce (MCP)
31-Jul-18 - 07:58 AM
Thread Name: Origins: James Madison Carpenter- Child Ballads 4
Subject: RE: Origins: James Madison Carpenter- Child Ballads 4
I've had a chance to listen to Mary Ward Kilconnell's version a bit more and I've got a few more changes, shown in <..> below. Also some possible alternatives, shown in {..} below. (Perhaps my worst? mishearing was devil wife for beloved wife!)

Mick


LORD RANDAL

1. "O son, dear son, O come tell it unto me,
O where were you, this lang summer's evening?"
"I went fishin an' fowlin'; <THIS LONG SUMMER'S EVENING>
O MAMAW O PARDON ME" {O MAMAW=O MAM O?}

2. What had you for breakfast, my dear and my <JOY>
O What had you for breakfast, my darling fine BOY
O FRESH EELS AND slow poison, mama, make my bed soon,
FRESH EELS AND slow poison, and I MEANT to lie down."

3. "O son, dear son, O come tell it unto me,
O What will you do with yer two little children?
<I'LL> give ONE to my daddy and the other to my mammy,
O TO KEEP THEM COMPANY, O mamaw pardon me.

4."O son, dear son, O come tell <IT> unto me,
What will ye do with your house and land?"
"I will leave it THERE to the BIRDS IN THE AIR {IN=ON?}
And there to mourn for me,
SO MAMAW? pardon me.

5. "O son, dear son, O come tell IT UNTO ME
What will you do with yer DEAR <BELOVED> WIFE
I'LL GIVE TO HER THE BAG AND THE BOTTLE
O TO HUNT THE COUNTERIE, O TO HUNT THE COUNTERIE {HUNT=HAUNT?}
THEN MAMAW PARDON ME

6. O son, dear son, O come tell it unto me
What will you do with your two gray hounds?
I will take their straps ALL off their neck,
AND FOR ME THEY'LL RACE NO MORE

7. O son, dear son, O come tell it unto me
What will you <DO> do with your two RACE horses?
I will take THE bridal off their HEAD
And FOR ME THEY'LL RACE NO MORE
<THEN> MAMAW O PARDON ME


Source: Kathleen Ward Kilconnell