Lord Rondal- Jean Ironside (aber) c.1931 Carpenter
[From: James Madison Carpenter Collection, JMC/1/5/1/Q, p. 08581. This is also titled "Lord Ronald" in another MS. Stanza 2 is the only one with "gallant young man?" See also Jeannie Robertson's version.
R. Matteson 2018]
Lord Rondal - sung by Jean Ironside of 5 Auchreddie Road, New Deer learned from a singer in Gyne District.
1. "Where have you been, Lord Rondal, my son?
Where have you been, my handsome young man?"
"I've been to my sweetheart's, mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm weary wi' wanderin' and fain would lie doon."
2. "Oh, have you had supper, Lord Rondal, my son
Oh, have you had supper, my gallant young man?"
"Oh yes I've had supper, mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm weary wi' wanderin' and fain would lie doon."
3. "What had ye for supper, Lord Rondal, my son [sim.]
"Black fish wi' white bellies, mother, make my bed soon,
4. I'm afraid you've been poisoned, Lord Rondal, my son
"Oh yes, I've been poisoned, mother, make my bed soon,
5. "What will you leave to your father, Lord Rondal, my son,
"My sheep and my cattle, mother, make my bed soon,
6. "What will you leave to your brother, Lord Rondal, my son,
"My horse an' my stable, mother, make my bed soon,
7. "What will you leave to your sister, Lord Rondal, my son,
"My rings an' my jewelry, mother, make my bed soon,
8. "What will you leave to your mother Lord Rondal, my son,
"My books and bible, mother, make my bed soon,
9. "What will you leave to your sweetheart Lord Rondal, my son,
What will you leave to your sweetheart, my handsome young man?"
"There's a rope in the stable, hang her on a tree,
And that's what she'll get for the poisonin' o' me.
Oh mother, dear mother, please make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at the heart and fain would lie doon."