Sacred Texts
Legends & Sagas
England
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12A: Lord Rendal
12A.1 O WHERE ha you been, Lord Randal, my son?
And where ha you been, my handsome young man?
I ha been at the greenwood; mother, mak my bed soon,
For Im wearied wi hunting, and fain wad lie down.
12A.2 An what met ye there, Lord Randal, my son?
An wha met you there, my handsome young man?
O I met wi my true-love; mother, mak my bed soon,
For Im wearied wi huntin, an fain wad lie down.
12A.3 And what did she give you, Lord Randal, my son?
And what did she give you, my handsome young man?
Eels fried in a pan; mother, mak my bed soon,
For Im wearied wi huntin, and fain wad lie down.
12A.4 And wha gat your leavins, Lord Randal, my son?
And wha gat your leavins, my handsom young man?
My hawks and my hounds; mother, mak my bed soon,
For Im wearied wi hunting, and fain wad lie down.
12A.5 d what becam of them, Lord Randal, my son?
And what becam of them, my handsome young man?
They stretched their legs out an died; mother, mak my bed soon,
For Im wearied wi huntin, and fain wad lie down.
12A.6 O I fear you are poisoned, Lord Randal, my son!
I fear you are poisoned, my handsome young man!
O yes, I am poisoned; mother, mak my bed soon,
For Im sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie down.
12A.7 What dye leave to your mother, Lord Randal, my son?
What dye leave to your mother, my handsome young man?
Four and twenty milk kye; mother, mak my bed soon,
For Im sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie down.
12A.8 What dye leave to your sister, Lord Randal, my son?
What dye leave to your sister, my handsome young man?
My gold and my silver; mother, mak my bed soon,
For Im sick at the heart, an I fain wad lie down.
12A.9 What dye leave to your brother, Lord Randal, my son?
What dye leave to your brother, my handsome young man?
My houses and my lands; mother, mak my bed soon,
For Im sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie down.
12A.10 What dye leave to your true-love, Lord Randal, my son?
What dye leave to your true-love, my handsome young man?
I leave her hell and fire; mother, mak my bed soon,
For Im sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie down.
12B: Lord Rendal
12B.1 O WHARE hae ye been a day, Lord Donald, my son?
O whare hae ye been a day, my jollie young man?
Ive been awa courtin; mither, mak my bed sune,
For Im sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie doun.
12B.2 What wad ye hae for your supper, Lord Donald, my son?
What wad ye hae for your supper, my jollie young man?
Ive gotten my supper; mither, mak my bed sune,
For Im sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie doun.
12B.3 What did ye get for your supper, Lord Donald,my son?
What did ye get for your supper, my jollie young man?
A dish of sma fishes; mither mak my bed sune,
For Im sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie doun.
12B.4 Whare gat ye the fishes, Lord Donald, my son?
Whare gat ye the fishes, my jollie young man?
In my fathers black ditches; mither, mak my bed sune,
For Im sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie doun.
12B.5 What like were your fishes, Lord Donald, my son?
What like were your fishes, my jollie young man?
Black backs and spreckld bellies; mither, mak my bed sune,
For Im sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie doun.
12B.6 O I fear ye are poisond, Lord Donald, my son!
O I fear ye are poisond, my jollie young man!
O yes! I am poisond; mither mak my bed sune,
For Im sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie doun.
12B.7 What will ye leave to your father, Lord Donald my son?
What will ye leave to your father, my jollie young man?
Baith my houses and land; mither, mak my bed sune,
For Im sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie doun.
12B.8 What will ye leave to your brither, Lord Donald, my son?
What will ye leave to your brither, my jollie young man?
My horse and the saddle; mither, mak my bed sune,
For Im sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie doun.
12B.9 What will ye leave to your sister, Lord Donald, my son?
What will ye leave to your sister, my jollie young man?
Baith my gold box and rings; mither, mak my bed sune,
For Im sick at the heart, and I fain wad lie doun.
12B.10 What will ye leave to your true-love, Lord Donald, my son?
What will ye leave to your true-love, my jollie young man?
The tow and the halter, for to hang on yon tree,
And lat her hang there for the poysoning o me.
12C: Lord Rendal
12C.1 WHATS become of your hounds, King Henrie, my son?
Whats become of your hounds, my pretty little one?
They all died on the way; mother, make my bed soon,
For Im sick to the heart, and I fain wald lie down.
12C.2 What gat ye to your supper, King Henry, my son?
What gat ye to your supper, my pretty little one?
I gat fish boiled in broo; mother, mak my bed soon,
For Im sick to the heart, and I fain wald lie down.
12C.3 What like were the fish, King Henry, my son?
What like were the fish, my pretty little one?
They were spreckled on the back and white on the belly; mother, make my bed soon,
For Im sick to the heart, and I fain wald lie down.
12C.4 What leave ye to your father, King Henry, my son?
What leave ye to your father, my pretty little one?
The keys of Old Ireland, and all thats therein; mother, make my bed soon,
For Im sick to the heart, and I fain wald lie down.
12C.5 at leave ye to your brother, King Henry, my son?
What leave ye to your brother, my pretty little one?
The keys of my coffers and all thats therein; mother, mak my bed soon,
For Im sick to the heart, and I fain wald lie down.
12C.6 What leave ye to your sister, King Henry, my son?
What leave ye to your sister, my pretty little one?
The worlds wide, she may go beg; mother, mak my bed soon,
For Im sick to the heart, and I fain wald lie down.
12C.7 What leave ye to your trew-love, King Henry, my son?
What leave ye to your trew-love, my pretty little one?
The highest hill to hang her on, for shes poisoned me and my hounds all; mother, make my bed soon,
Oh Im sick to the heart, and I fain wald lie down.
12D: Lord Rendal
12D.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 Im weary wi hunting, and fain wald lie down.
12D.2 Where gat ye your dinner, Lord Randal, my son?
Where gat ye your dinner, my handsome young man?
I dind wi my true-love; mother, make my bed soon,
For Im weary wi hunting, and fain wald lie down.
12D.3 What gat ye to your dinner, Lord Randal, my son?
What gat ye to your dinner, my handsome young man?
I gat eels boild in broo; mother, make my bed soon,
For Im weary wi hunting, and fain wald lie down.
12D.4 What became of your bloodhounds, Lord Randal, my son?
What became of your bloodhounds, my handsome young man?
O they swelld and they died; mother, make my bed soon,
For Im weary wi hunting, and fain wald lie down.
12D.5 O I fear ye are poisond, Lord Randal, my son!
O I fear ye are poisond, my handsome young man!
O yes! I am poisond; mother, make my bed soon,
For Im sick at the heart, and I fain wald lie down.
12E: Lord Rendal
12E.1 AH where have you been, Lairde Rowlande, my son?
Ah where have you been, Lairde Rowlande, my son?
Ive been in the wild woods; mither, mak my bed soon,
For Im weary wi hunting, and faine would lie down.
12E.2 Oh youve been at your true loves, Lairde Rowlande, my son!
Oh youve been at your true-loves, Lairde Rowlande, my son!
Ive been at my true-loves; mither, mak my bed soon,
For Im weary wi hunting, and faine would lie down.
12E.3 What got you to dinner, Lairde Rowlande, my son?
What got you to dinner, Lairde Rowlande, my son?
I got eels boild in brue; mither, mak my bed soon,
For Im weary wi hunting, and faine would lie down.
12E.4 Whats become of your warden, Lairde Rowlande, my son?
Whats become of your warden, Lairde Rowlande, my son?
He died in the muirlands; mither, mak my bed soon,
For Im weary wi hunting, and faine would lie down.
12E.5 Whats become of your stag-hounds, Lairde Rowlande, my son?
Whats become of your stag-hounds, Lairde Rowlande, my son?
They swelled and they died; mither, mak my bed soon,
For Im weary wi hunting, and faine would lie down.
12F: Lord Rendal
12F.1 O WHERE hae ye been, Lord Ronald, my son?
O where hae ye been, Lord Ronald, my son?
I hae been wi my sweetheart; mother, make my bed soon,
For Im weary wi the hunting, and fain wad lie down.
12F.2 What got ye frae your sweetheart, Lord Ronald, my son?
What got ye frae your sweetheart, Lord Ronald, my son?
I hae got deadly poison; mother, make my bed soon,
For life is a burden that soon Ill lay down.
* * * * *
12G: Lord Rendal
12G.1 WHERE have you been today, Billy, my son?
Where have you been today, my only man?
Ive been a wooing; mother, make my bed soon,
For Im sick at heart, and fain would lay down.
12G.2 What have you ate today, Billy, my son?
What have you ate today, my only man?
Ive ate eel-pie; mother, make my bed soon,
For Im sick at heart, and shall die before noon.
12H: Lord Rendal
12H.1 WHERE was you all day, my own pretty boy?
Where was you all day, my comfort and joy?
I was fishing and fowling; mother, make my bed soon,
Theres a pain in my heart, and I mean to lie down.
12H.2 What did you have for your breakfast, my own pretty boy?
What did you have for your breakfast, my comfort and joy?
A cup of strong poison; mother, make my bed soon,
Theres a pain in my heart, and I mean to lie down.
12H.3 I fear you are poisoned, my own pretty boy,
I fear you are poisoned, my comfort and joy!
O yes, I am poisoned; mother, make my bed soon,
Theres a pain in my heart, and I mean to lie down.
12H.4 What will you leave to your father, my own pretty boy?
What will you leave to your father, my comfort and joy?
Ill leave him my house and my property; mother, make my bed soon,
Theres a pain in my heart, and I mean to lie down.
12H.5 What will you leave to your mother, my own pretty boy?
What will you leave to your mother, my comfort and joy?
Ill leave her my coach and four horses; mother, make my bed soon,
Theres a pain in my heart, and I mean to lie down.
12H.6 What will you leave to your brother, my own pretty boy?
What will you leave to your brother, my comfort and joy?
Ill leave him my bow and my fiddle; mother, make my bed soon,
Theres a pain in my heart, and I mean to lie down.
12H.7 What will you leave to your sister, my own pretty boy?
What will you leave to your sister, my comfort and joy?
Ill leave her my gold and my silver; mother, make my bed soon,
Theres a pain in my heart, and I mean to lie down.
12H.8 What will you leave to your servant, my own pretty boy?
What will you leave to you servant, my comfort and joy?
Ill leave him the key of my small silver box; mother, make my bed soon,
Theres a pain in my heart, and I mean to lie down.
12H.9 What will you leave to your children, my own pretty boy?
What will you leave to your children, my comfort and joy?
The world is wide all round for to beg; mother, make my bed soon,
Theres a pain in my heart, and I mean to lie down.
12H.10 What will you leave to your wife, my own pretty boy?
What will you leave to your wife, my comfort and joy?
Ill leave her the gallows, and plenty to hang her; mother, make my bed soon,
Theres a pain in my heart, and I mean to lie down.
12H.11 Where shall I make it, my own pretty boy?
Where shall I make it, my comfort and joy?
Above in the churchyard, and dig it down deep,
Put a stone to my head and a flag to my feet,
And leave me down easy until Ill take a long sleep.
12I: Lord Rendal
12I.1 O WHERE have you been, Tiranti, my son?
O where have you been, my sweet little one?
I have been to my grandmothers; mother, make my bed soon,
For Im sick to my heart, and Im faint to lie down.
12I.2 What did you have for your supper, Tiranti, my son?
What did you have for your supper, my sweet little one?
I had eels fried in butter; mother, make my bed soon,
For Im sick to my heart, and Im faint to lie down.
12I.3 Where did the eels come from, Tiranti, my son?
Where did the eels come from, my sweet little one?
From the corner of the haystack; mother, make my bed soon,
For Im sick to my heart, and Im faint to lie down.
12I.4 What color were the eels, Tiranti, my son?
What color were the eels, my sweet little one?
They were streak d and strip d; mother, make my bed soon,
For Im sick to my heart, and Im faint to lie down.
12I.5 Whatll you give to your father, Tiranti, my son?
Whatll you give to your father, my sweet little one?
All my gold and my silver; mother, make my bed soon,
For Im sick to my heart, and Im faint to lie down.
12I.6 Whatll you give to your mother, Tiranti, my son?
Whatll you give to your mother, my sweet little one?
A coach and six horses; mother, make my bed soon,
For Im sick to my heart, and Im faint to lie down.
12I.7 Whatll you give to your grandmother, Tiranti, my son?
Whatll you give to your grandmother, my sweet little one?
A halter to hang her; mother, make my bed soon,
For Im sick to my heart, and Im faint to lie down.
12I.8 Wherell you have your bed made, Tiranti, my son?
Wherell you have your bed made, my sweet little one?
In the corner of the churchyard; mother, make my bed soon,
For Im sick to my heart, and Im faint to lie down.
12J: Lord Rendal
12J.1 O WHARE hae ye been a day, my bonnie wee croodlin dow?
O whare hae ye been a day, my bonnie wee croodlin dow?
Ive been at my step-mothers; oh mak my bed, mammie, now!
Ive been at my step-mothers; oh mak my bed, mammie, now!
12J.2 O what did ye get at your step-mothers, my bonnie wee croodlin dow? [Twice.]
I gat a wee wee fishie; oh mak my bed, mammie, now! [Twice.]
12J.3 O whare gat she the wee fishie, my bonnie wee croodlin dow?
In a dub before the door; oh mak my bed, mammie, now!
12J.4 What did ye wi the wee fishie, my bonnie wee croodlin dow?
I boild it in a wee pannie; oh mak my bed, mammy, now!
12J.5 Wha gied ye the banes o the fishie till, my bonnie wee croodlin dow?
I gied them till a wee doggie; oh mak my bed, mammie, now!
12J.6 O whare is the little wee doggie, my bonnie wee croodlin dow?
O whare is the little wee doggie, my bonnie wee croodlin doo?
It shot out its fit and died, and sae maun I do too;
Oh mak my bed, mammy, now, now, oh mak my bed, mammy, now!
12K: Lord Rendal
12K.1 O WHAUR hae ye been a the day, my little wee croodlin doo?
O Ive been at my grandmothers; mak my bed, mammie, now!
12K.2 O what gat ye at your grandmothers, my little wee croodlin doo?
I got a bonnie wee fishie; mak my bed, mammie, now!
12K.3 O whaur did she catch the fishie, my bonnie wee croodlin doo?
She catchd it in the gutter hole; mak my bed, mammie, now!
12K.4 And what did she do wi the fish, my little wee croodlin doo?
She boiled it in a brass pan; O mak my bed, mammie, now!
12K.5 d what did ye do wi the banes ot, my bonnie wee croodlin doo?
I gied them to my little dog; mak my bed, mammie, now!
12K.6 And what did your little doggie do, my bonnie wee croodlin doo?
He stretched out his head, his feet, and deed; and so will I, mammie, now!
12L: Lord Rendal
12L.1 WHAR hae ye been a the day, Willie doo, Willie doo?
Whar hae ye been a the day, Willie, my doo?
12L.2 Ive been to see my step-mother; make my bed, lay me down;
Make my bed, lay me down, die shall I now!
12L.3 What got ye frae your step-mother, Willie doo, Willie doo?
What got ye frae your step-mother, Willie, my doo?
12L.4 She gae me a speckled trout; make my bed, lay me down;
She gae me a speckled trout, die shall I now!
12L.5 Whar got she the speckled trout,Willie doo, Willie doo?
She got it amang the heather hills; die shall I now.
12L.6 What did she boil it in, Willie doo, Willie doo?
She boild it in the billy-pot; die shall I now!
12L.7 What gaed she you for to drink, Willie doo, Willie doo?
What gaed she you for to drink, Willie, my doo?
12L.8 She gaed me hemlock stocks; make my bed, lay me down;
Made in the brewing pot; die shall I now!
12L.9 They made his bed, laid him down, poor Willie doo, Willie doo;
He turnd his face to the wa; hes dead now!
12M: Lord Rendal
12M.1 WHERE hae ye been a the day, my bonny wee croodin doo?
O I hae been at my stepmothers house; make my bed, mammie, now, now, now,
Make my bed, mammie, now!
12M.2 Where did ye get your dinner? my, etc.
I got it at my stepmothers; make, etc.
12M.3 What did she gie ye to your dinner?
She gae me a little four-footed fish.
12M.4 Where got she the four-footed fish?
She got it down in yon well strand; O make, etc.
12M.5 What did she do with the banes ot?
She gae them to the little dog.
12M.6 O what became o the little dog?
O it shot out its feet and died; O make, etc.
12N: Lord Rendal
12N.1 FARE hae ye been a day, a day, a day,
Fare hae ye been a day, my little wee croudlin doo?
12N.2 Ive been at my step-mammies, my step mammies, my step-mammies,
Ive been at my step-mammies; come mack my beddy now!
12N.3 What got ye at yer step-mammies,
My little wee croudlin doo?
12N.4 She gied me a spreckled fishie;
Come mack my beddy now!
12N.5 What did ye wi the baenies oet,
My little wee croudlin doo?
12N.6 I gaed them till her little dogie;
Come mack my beddy now!
12N.7 What did her little dogie syne,
My little wee croudlin doo?
12N.8 He laid down his heed and feet;
And sae shall I dee now!
12O: Lord Rendal
12O.1 O WHERE hae ye been a the day, my wee wee croodlin doo doo?
O where hae ye been a the day, my bonnie wee croodlin doo?
O I hae been to my step-mammies; mak my bed, mammy, noo, noo,
Mak my bed, mammy, noo!
12O.2 O what did yere step-mammie gie to you? etc.
She gied to me a wee wee fish, etc.
12O.3 [O] what did she boil the wee fishie in?
O she boiled it in a wee wee pan; it turned baith black an blue, blue,
It turned baith black an blue.
12O.4 An what did she gie the banes ot to?
O she gied them to a wee wee dog; mak, etc.
12O.5 An what did the wee wee doggie do then?
O it put out its tongue and its feet, an it deed; an sae maun I do, noo, noo,
An sae maun I do noo!
12[P]: Lord Rendal
12[P].1 Where hae ye been a day, Lord Ronald, my son?
Where hae ye been a day, my handsome young one?
Ive been in the wood hunting; mother, make my bed soon,
For I am weary, weary hunting, and fain would lie doun
12[P.2] O where did you dine, Lord Ronald, my son?
O where did you dine, my handsome young one?
I dined with my sweetheart; mother, make my bed soon,
For I am weary, weary hunting, and fain would lie doun.
12[P.3] What got you to dine on, Lord Ronald, my son?
What got you to dine on, my handsome young one?
I got eels boiled in water that in heather doth run,
And I am weary, weary hunting, and fain would lie doun.
12[P.4] What did she wi the broo o them, Lord Ronald, my son?
What did she wi the broo o them, my handsome young one?
She gave it to my hounds for to live upon,
And I am weary, weary hunting, and fain would lie doun.
12[P.5] Where are your hounds now, Lord Ronald, my son?
Where are your hounds now, my handsome young one?
They are a swelled and bursted, and sae will I soon,
And I am weary, weary hunting, and fain would lie doun.
12[P.6] What will you leave your father, Lord Ronald, my son?
What will you leave your father, my handsome young one?
Ill leave him my lands for to live upon,
And I am weary, weary hunting, and fain would lie doun.
12[P.7] What will you leave your brother, Lord Ronald, my son?
What will you leave your brother, my handsome young one?
Ill leave him my gallant steed for to ride upon,
And I am weary, weary hunting, and fain would lie doun.
12[P.8] What will you leave your sister, Lord Ronald, my son?
What will you leave your sister, my handsome young one?
Ill leave her my gold watch for to look upon,
And I am weary, weary hunting, and fain would lie doun.
12[P.9] What will you leave your mother, Lord Ronald, my son?
What will you leave your mother, my handsome young one?
Ill leave her my Bible for to read upon,
And I am weary, weary hunting, and fain would lie doun.
12[P.10] What will you leave your sweetheart, Lord Ronald, my son?
What will you leave your sweetheart, my handsome young one?
Ill leave her the gallows-tree for to hang upon,
It was her that poisoned me; and so he fell doun.
12[Q]: Lord Rendal
12[Q].1 O whare hae ye been, Lord Randal, my son?
O whare hae ye been, my handsome young man?
Oer the peat moss mang the heather, mother, mak my bed soon,
For Im weary, weary hunting, and fain wad lie down.
12[Q.6] What leave ye to your father, Lord Randal, my son?
What leave ye to your father, my handsome young man?
I leave my houses and land, mother, mak my bed soon,
For Im weary, weary hunting, and fain wad lie down.
12[Q.7] What leave ye to your brother, Lord Randal, my son?
What leave ye to your brother, my handsome young man?
O the guid milk-white steed that I rode upon,
For Im weary, weary hunting, and fain wad lie down.
12[Q.8] What leave ye to your true-love, Lord Randal, my son?
What leave ye to your true-love, my handsome young man?
O a high, high gallows, to hang her upon,
For Im weary, weary hunting, and fain wad lie down.
12[R]: Lord Rendal
12[R].1 Whare hae ye been a day, my little wee toorin dow?
Its Ive been at my grandmammys; mak my bed, mammy, now.
12[R.2] And what did ye get frae your grandmammy, my little wee toorin dow?
Its I got a wee bit fishy to eat; mak my bed, mammy, now.
12[R.3] An what did ye do wi the banes o it, my little wee toorin dow?
I gied it to my black doggy to eat; mak my bed, mammy, now.
12[R.4] An what did your little black doggy do syne, my little wee toorin dow?
He shot out his head, and his feet, and he died; as I do, mammy, now.
12[S]: Lord Rendal
12[S].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 Im 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.
12[S.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.
12[S.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.
12[S.4] Who gave you eels today, Randal, my son?
Who gave you eels today, my only man?
My own sweetheart; mother, make, etc.
12[S.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.
12[S.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.
12[U]: Lord Rendal
12[U].1 Whare were ye the lea lang day,
Refrain: My wee crooding doo, doo?
12[U.1] I hae been at my step-dames;
Refrain: Mammy, mak my bed noo, noo!
12[U.2] Whare gat she the wee, wee fish?
She gat it neist the edder-flowe.
12[U.3] What did she wi the fishies banes?
The wee black dog gat them to eat.
12[U.4] What did the wee black doggie then?
He shot out his fittie an deed;
Refrain: An sae maun I now too, too. etc.
Next: 13. Edward