Tiranti, my Son- a lady (NH) pre1880 Child I i
[From English and Scottish Popular Ballads, Child 1884 Vol. 2, Additions and Corrections. Supplied by Mr. George L. Kittredge, who obtained it from a lady in Exeter, N.H. No date given, but it was before 1884 when it was published.
Although this is considered a New England title, versions with this title have been found in NC (Brown) and elsewhere. Phillips Barry claims that the assorted "Tiranti" titles came from a corruption of Tyrannus and not from Randall at all. He says that Tyrannus is rare and is mentioned in New England Genealogical Record
Child lists seven versions of I, all from the US, but doesn't offer individual texts. Instead he gives the text of I a and the changes from I a to make the other versions. For I a he gives changes the order of the verses to conform with standard verses. The changes for other texts are found in the End Notes. It should be noticed that some of the changes given in end notes in these editions are not completely accurate- they cover most important differences.
In Volume 2, Additions and Corrections, he adds I h and I i, then he gives the changes for h and k [sic], which should be i. I'm adding the texts, assembled from the End Notes, for all nine below:
I. 'Tiranti, my Son.'
a. Communicated by a lady of Boston,
b. By an aunt of the same.
c. By a lady of New Bedford,
d. By a lady of Cambridge,
e. By ladies of Boston.
f. By ladies of Boston.
g. By ladies of Boston.
h. Communicated by Mr. George M. Richardson.
i. Communicated by Mr. George L. Kittredge.
Child adds the following: I, a version current in eastern Massachusetts, may be carried as far back as any. a, b derive from Elizabeth Foster, whose parents, both natives of eastern Massachusetts, settled, after their marriage, in Maine, where she was born in 1789. Elizabeth Foster's mother is remembered to have sung the ballad, and I am informed that the daughter must have learned it not long after 1789, since she was removed in her childhood from Maine to Massachusetts, and continued there till her death. 'Tiranti' ['Taranti'] may not improbably be a corruption of Lord Randal.
R. Matteson 2011, 2014]
TIRANTI, MY SON- Child I i.
i. By Mr. George L. Kittredge, obtained from a lady in Exeter, N.H.
1. 'O where have you been, Tiranti, my son?
O where have you been, my sweet little one?'
'I have been to see grandmother; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at heart, and I'm fain to lie down.'
2. 'What did you have for your supper, Tiranti, my son?
What did you have for your supper, my sweet little one?'
'Striped eels fried in butter; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at heart, and I'm fain to lie down.'
3. 'Your grandmother has poisoned you, Tiranti, my son?
Your grandmother has poisoned you, my sweet little one?'
'I know it, I know it; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at heart, and I'm fain to lie down.'
4. 'What would you leave mother, Tiranti, my son?
What would you leave mother, my sweet little one?'
'A coach and six horses; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at heart, and I'm fain to lie down.'
5. 'What would you leave sister, Tiranti, my son?
What would you leave sister, my sweet little one?'
'A box full of jewels; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at heart, and I'm fain to lie down.'
6.'What would you leave grandmother, Tiranti, my son?
What would you leave grandmother, my sweet little one?'
'A rope for to hang her; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at heart, and I'm fain to lie down.'
7. 'O where shall I make it, Tiranti, my son?
O where shall I make it, my sweet little one?'
'A rope for to hang her; mother, make my bed soon,
For I'm sick at heart, and I'm fain to lie down.'
Footnotes for changes for I i, incorrectly labeled as k.
k. Seven stanzas.
13, to see grandmother.
14. sick at beart, and fain.
23. Striped eels fried.
3 = a 6, d 5, h 3.
31,2, Your grandmother has poisoned you,
33. I know it, I know it,
4 = a 6,
41,2. would you leave mother.
5 = a 8, b 9, h 7.
51,2. would you leave sister.
53. A box full of jewels.
6 = a 7; 7 = a 8.
61,2. would you leave grandmother.
63. A rope for to hang her,
71,2. O where shall I make it.