Ronald- Carlisle (Ark.) c. 1912; Randolph D
[This fragment with only two verses is very close to Percy's 1776 version, which is Child B. The use of the word blade (Child B) instead of sword is unusual.
R. Matteson 2014]
D. RONALD- Sung by Irene Carlisle; Fayetteville, Ark. who says she learned it from her grandmother in 1912. Collected Oct. 26, 1941 by Vance Randolph.
"Oh what's that red upon your blade?
Ronald, Ronald.
"Oh what's that red upon your blade?
My dear son, now tell me O."
Oh I have killed a little gray hawk,
Mother, mother.
Oh I have killed a little gray hawk,
That used to hunt with me O."