Randall, My Son- Parsons; 1775; Child S
[From Rev. Philip Parsons letters to Percy; Wye, 1775 (Percy Papers). This is the earliest documented version by 20 years or so.
R. Matteson 2011, 2018]
Randall, My Son- Child; Version S
Communicated to Percy by Rev. P. Parsons, of Wye, near Ashford, Kent, April 19, 1775: taken down by a friend of Mr Parsons “from the spinning-wheel, in Suffolk.”
1 ‘Where have you been today, Randall, my son?
Where have you been today, my only man?’
‘I have been a hunting, mother, make my bed soon,
For I’m sick at the heart, fain woud lie down.
Dear sister, hold my head, dear mother, make my bed,
I am sick at the heart, fain woud lie down.’
2 ‘What have you eat today, Randal, my son?
What have you eat today, my only man?’
‘I have eat an eel; mother, make,’ etc.
3 ‘What was the colour of it, Randal, my son?
What was the colour of it, my only man?’
‘It was neither green, grey, blue nor black,
But speckled on the back; make,’ etc.
4 ‘Who gave you eels today, Randal, my son?
Who gave you eels today, my only man?’
‘My own sweetheart; mother, make,’ etc.
5 ‘Where shall I make your bed, Randal, my son?
Where shall I make your bed, my only man?’
‘In the churchyard; mother, make,’ etc.
6 ‘What will you leave her then, Randall, my son?
What will you leave her then, my only man?’
‘A halter to hang herself; make,’ etc.