Jimmy Randal- Holcolm (KY) 1932 Niles A
[From Niles, The Ballad Book, 1961. A fairly standard and believable text from Niles, who has admitted to re-creating ballads. The burial stanza seems to be a more modern creation but it has been known early in the 1900s (See quote by French, 1919.)
R. Matteson 2014]
A. Jimmy Randal- Sung Solomon and Beth Holcolm from Whitesburg, KY, July 8, 1932. Niles A
1. "Oh where have you been Jimmy Randal, my son?
Oh where have you roved, my oldest dear one?"
'Oh Mither, oh Mither, go make my bed soon,
'Cause my courtin' has sicked me and I fain would lay doon."
2. "What had you for supper, Jimmy Randal, my son,
What had you for supper, my oldest dear one?"
"Some fried eels and parsnips, go make my bed soon,
'Cause my courtin' has sicked me and I fain would lay doon."
3. "What will you give me, Jimmy Randal, my son,
What will you your mother, my oldest dear one?"
"My house and my lands, Mither, make my bed soon,
'Cause my courtin' has sicked me and I fain would lay doon."
4. "What will you your father, Jimmy Randal, my son,
What will you your father, my oldest dear one?,,
"My wagon and team, Mither, make my bed soon,
'Cause my courtin' has sicked me and I fain would lay doon."
5. "What will you your brother, Jimmy Randal, my son,
What will you your brother, my oldest dear one?"
"My horn and my hound, Mither, make my bed soon,
'Cause my courtin' has sicked me and I fain would lay doon."
6. "What will you your sweetheart, Jimmy Randal, my son,
What will you your sweetheart, my oldest dear one?"
"Bullrushes, bullrushes, and them all parched brown,
'Cause she gave me the pizen that I did drink down."
7. "And when you are dead, Jimmy Randal, my son,
And when you are dead, my oldest dear one?"
"Go dig me a grave 'side my grandfather's son,
'Cause my courtin' was sicked me and I fain would lay doon."