Jimmy Randall- Short (Mo.) 1941 Randolph D
[My title. From: Ozark Folksongs, Vol. 1 the Ballads, by Vance Randolph 1946. This version has an extra repeat of the third line- still the stanzas need to be reorganized to fit the standard form. Randolph doesn't do this.
This has the rare verse about the hounds, but the end verse are missing.
R. Matteson 2011, 2014]
Jimmy Randall- Sung by Mrs. Lilian Short (Cabool, Mo.) 1941, Randolph D
Where have you been Jimmy Randall my son?
Where have you been my handsome young one?
I've been to my true love Mamma,
I've been to my true love Mamma.
Oh make my bed soon Mamma,
Cause I'm sick to the heart,
I want to lay down.
Where are your hounds, Jimmy Randall, my son?
Where are your hounds, my handsome young one?
They swelled up and died, Mamma,
They swelled up and died, Mamma.
Oh make my bed soon, Mamma,
'Cause I'm sick to the heart,
I want to lay down.
What did you eat, Jimmy Randall, my son?
What did you eat, my handsome young one?
Some fried eels and onions, Mamma,
Some fried eels and onions, Mamma.
Oh make my bed soon, Mamma,
'Cause I'm sick to the heart,
I want to lay down.
I'm feared you're pizened, Jimmy Randall, my son,
I'm feared you're pizened, my handsome young one.
Oh, I'm feared I'm pizened, Mamma,
Yes, I'm feared I'm pizened, Mamma.
Oh make my bed soon, Mamma,
'Cause I'm sick to the heart,
I want to lay down.