Tiranti, My Love- Ratliff (KY) 1934; Niles B
[From Niles, The Ballad Book, 1961. A fairly standard first line from Niles but after that it's all Niles, who has admitted to re-creating ballads. If Child could publish a US version titled Tiranti, then certainly Niles could too. Pass the eels please- and not too much pizen on mine.
R. Matteson 2014]
Tiranti, My Love- Mrs. Molly Ratliff (Madison County, KY) 1934; Niles B
1. "Oh where have you been Tiranti, my love,
And why are you home so soon?"
"It's I've been courtin', oh Mother dear,
And I'm dying to lie down."
"What did you eat, Tiranti, my love,
What did you eat, my son?"
"Some pizened eels, oh Mother dear,
But I ate only one."
"One eel is enough, my little son,
Yes, one will surely do.
But two would be too many eels
For one bonny boy like You.
"Oh what will you give the great lady
Who was to you untrue?"
"A strong piece of rope for hanging, for hanging,
And that will hardly do."