LORD RANDAL

+The Text+ is from Scott's _Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border_ (1803).

Other forms give the name as _Lord Ronald_, but Scott retains _Randal_ on the supposition that the ballad originated in the death of 'Thomas Randolph, or Randal, Earl of Murray, nephew to Robert Bruce, and governor of Scotland,' who died at Musselburgh in 1332.

+The Story+ of the ballad is found in Italian tradition nearly three hundred years ago, and also occurs in Dutch, German, Swedish, Danish, Magyar, Wendish, etc.

Certain variants of the ballad bear the title of _The Croodlin Doo_, and the 'handsome young man' is changed for a child, and the poisoner is the child's step-mother. Scott suggests that this change was made 'to excite greater interest in the nursery.' In nearly all forms of the ballad, the poisoning is done by the substitution of snakes ('eels') for fish, a common method amongst the ancients of administering poison.

Child gives a collation of seven versions secured in America of late years, in each of which the name of Lord Randal has become corrupted to 'Tiranti.'

The antiphonetic form of the ballad is popular, as being dramatic and suitable for singing. Compare _Edward_, also a dialogue between mother and son.

LORD RANDAL

1.

'O where hae ye been, Lord Randal, my son?

O where hae ye been, my handsome young man?'

'I hae been to the wild wood; mother, make my bed soon, For I'm weary wi' hunting, and fain wald lie down.'

2.

'Where gat ye your dinner, Lord Randal, my son?

Where gat ye your dinner, my handsome young man?'

'I din'd wi' my true-love; mother, make my bed soon, For I'm weary wi' hunting, and fain wald lie down.'

3.

'What gat ye to your dinner, Lord Randal, my son?

What gat ye to your dinner, my handsome young man?'

'I gat eels boil'd in broo'; mother, make my bed soon, For I'm weary wi' hunting, and fain wald lie down.'

4.

'What became of your bloodhounds, Lord Randal, my son?

What became of your bloodhounds, my handsome young man?'

'O they swell'd and they died; mother, make my bed soon, For I'm weary wi' hunting, and fain wald lie down.'

5.

'O I fear ye are poison'd, Lord Randal, my son!

O I fear ye are poison'd, my handsome young man!'

'O yes, I am poison'd; mother, make my bed soon, For I'm sick at the heart, and I fain wald lie down.'

[Annotations: 3.3: 'broo',' broth.]

LAMKIN

+The Text+ is from Jamieson's _Popular Ballads_. He obtained it from Mrs. Brown. It is by far the best version of a score or so in existence.

The name of the hero varies from Lamkin, Lankin, Lonkin, etc., to Rankin and Balcanqual. I have been informed by Andrew McDowall, Esq., of an incomplete version in which Lamkin's name has become 'Bold Hang'em.'

Finlay (_Scottish Ballads_) remarks:-- 'All reciters agree that Lammikin, or Lambkin, is not the name of the hero, but merely an epithet.'

+The Story+ varies little throughout all the versions, though in some, as in one known to Percy, it lacks much of the detail here given.

LAMKIN

1.

It's Lamkin was a mason good As ever built wi' stane; He built Lord Wearie's castle, But payment got he nane.

2.

'O pay me, Lord Wearie, Come, pay me my fee': 'I canna pay you, Lamkin, For I maun gang o'er the sea.'

3.

'O pay me now, Lord Wearie, Come, pay me out o' hand': 'I canna pay you, Lamkin, Unless I sell my land.'

4.

'O gin ye winna pay me, I here sail mak' a vow, Before that ye come hame again, Ye sall hae cause to rue.'

5.

Lord Wearie got a bonny ship, To sail the saut sea faem; Bade his lady weel the castle keep, Ay till he should come hame.

6.

But the nourice was a fause limmer As e'er hung on a tree; She laid a plot wi' Lamkin, Whan her lord was o'er the sea.

7.

She laid a plot wi' Lamkin, When the servants were awa', Loot him in at a little shot-window, And brought him to the ha'.

8.

'O whare's a' the men o' this house, That ca' me Lamkin?'

'They're at the barn-well thrashing; 'Twill be lang ere they come in.'

9.

'And whare's the women o' this house, That ca' me Lamkin?'

'They're at the far well washing; 'Twill be lang ere they come in.'

10.

'And whare's the bairns o' this house, That ca' me Lamkin?'

'They're at the school reading; 'Twill be night or they come hame.'

11.

'O whare's the lady o' this house, That ca's me Lamkin?'

'She's up in her bower sewing, But we soon can bring her down.'

12.