Lord Randall

notes:
historical: All sorts of info about this song. It's apparently a traditional Scottish ballad. "One of the earliest versions of this ballad was published between 1787 and 1803. It is not improbable that the ballad refers to the death of Lord Thomas Randall, Earl of Murray. This great warrior died in Mussellburough in 1332 at the moment his services were most needed by his country already threatened by the English Army. For this sole reason our historians impute his death to poison and it is believed that Lord Randall's sweetheart was an English spy and murdered him by feeding him black eel broth." (I got that from this page.) This site has commentary and an alternate set of lyrics for this song. This page looks to have more interesting information but it has a dreadful, dreadful midi playing in the background and I can't stay to read it.
CDs/MP3s: It’s on Hell’s Kitchen.
special Prodigals info: This is one of two songs that speak of hanging people. One wonders. Yes, indeed, one wonders.

Lord Randall

Where did you go, Lord Randall my son?
Where did you go, my beloved one?
Down in the glen, down in the glen.
Make me my bed, I’ve a pain in me head.
And I fain would lie down, and I fain would lie down.

What did you do there, Lord Randall my son?
What did you do there, my beloved one?
I dined with my true love, I dined with my true love,
Make me my bed, I’ve a pain in me head.
And I fain would lie down, and I fain would lie down.

What did you eat there, Lord Randall my son?
What did you eat there, my beloved one?
Eels and eels broth, eels and eels broth,
Make me my bed, I’ve a pain in me head.
And I fain would lie down, and I fain would lie down.

I fear you are poisoned, Lord Randall, my son.
I fear you are poisoned, my beloved one.
Indeed I am poisoned, indeed I am poisoned,
Make me my bed, I’ve a pain in me head.
And I fain would lie down, and I fain would lie down.

What will you leave to your mother, my son?
What will you leave to your mother, oh ill-fated one?
My gold and my silver, my gold and my silver.
Make me my bed, I’ve a pain in me head.
And I fain would lie down, and I fain would lie down.

What will you leave to your sweetheart, my son?
What will you leave to your sweetheart, oh ill-fated one?
A rope to hang her, a rope to hang her,
Make me my bed, I’ve a pain in me head.
And I fain would lie down, and I fain would lie down.