Lord Randal- Mabel Skelton (Angus) 1985 Henderson
[From Collection - School of Scottish Studies; Original Tape ID - SA1985.253.
R. Matteson 2018]
Summary - A fragment of a tragic ballad in which a dialogue between Lord Randal and his mother reveals that he has been poisoned by his sweetheart and will die.
Mabel Skelton learned the song from her grandmother, who learned it from her own mother. Mrs Skelton has heard a story that Henry VIII wrote 'Lord Randal'.
Lord Randal- sung by Mabel Skelton of Arbroath on August 13, 1985 as recorded by Hamish Henderson
"O, whar hae ye been, Lord Randal my son?
O, whar hae ye been, my handsome young man?"
"O, I've been a-courtin', mother my bed soon,
For I'm weary, weary huntin' and fain wid lie doon."
"O, I fear ye've been poisoned, Lord Randal my son
Yes, I fear ye've been poisoned, my handsome young man,"
"Yes, mother I've been poisoned, mother my bed soon,
For I'm weary, weary huntin' and fain wid lie doon."
"O, I fear that ye're dyin', Lord Randal my son
Yes I fear that ye're a-dyin', my handsome young man,"
"Yes mother I'm a-dyin', mother my bed soon,
For I'm weary, weary huntin and fain wid lie doon."