Lord Randal- Laidlaw; early 1800s; Child T
[From “Scotch Ballads, Materials for Border Minstrelsy,” No 22 g, in the handwriting of William Laidlaw. James Hogg and Laidlaw were two of Scott's field collectors who began looking for ballads for Scott about 1801 as he prepared for his Minstrelsy-- Volume 1 was published in 1803. A bio on Laidlaw follows.
R. Matteson 2011, 2018]
From The Book of Scottish Poems; Ancient and Modern by John Ross:
WILLIAM LAIDLAW 1780—1845
William Laidlaw, was born at Blackhouse, in Yarrow, in November 1780. The Ettrick Shepherd was in the employment of his father, James Laidlaw, and the poets were fast friends. Hogg, who was ten years his senior, fostered Laidlaw's, poetic aspirations. In 1801, Scott, when collecting for The Minstrelsy, was directed by
Leyden to Laidlaw, and Laidlaw introduced Hogg to Scott. Laidlaw was a more sagacious man than Hogg; yet in farming, his fortune was not much better, and he had to give up the lease of his second farm, at Liberton, and accept the situation of Steward to Sir Walter, at Abbotsford. Here he resided at Kaeside Cottage, as Scott's trusted friend and factor, till the master's misfortunes necessitated their separation for some time. He returned again as Scott's amanuensis, and remained with him till his death. Shortly after that event, Laidlaw became factor to Mrs Stewart Mackenzie of Seaforth, and afterwards to Sir Charles Ross of Balnagown. His health failing, he gave up his situation, and lived with his brother at Contin, near Dingwall, where he died in 1845.
Lord Randal- Child, Version T:
“Scotch Ballads, Materials for Border Minstrelsy,” No 22 g, in the handwriting of William Laidlaw.
1 ‘Where ha ye been, Lord Randal, my son?’
‘I been at the huntin, mother, mak my bed soon;
I’m weariet wi' huntin', I fain wad lie down.’
2 ‘What gat ye to yer supper, Lord Randal, my son?’
‘An eel boild i broo, mother, mak my bed soon;
I’m,’ etc.
3 ‘What gat yer dogs, Earl Randal, my son?’
‘The broo o the eel, mother,’ etc.
4 ‘What leave [ye] yer false love, Lord Randal, my son?’
‘My goud silken garters, to hang hersel on;
I’m,’ etc.