Early American Ballads. 1 1 5
— and both modes of preservation have cooperated — the ancient ballads have been freely sung in America ; indeed, they have lasted in the United States rather longer than in the mother country. Even at the present day some are current in districts marked by simplicity of manners, especially in the mountainous portions of the Southern States. As late as 1820 such ballads were still sung at gatherings of young people in New England, as shown by a remark- able version of " Fair Margaret and Sweet William," communicated to Professor Child (" English and Scottish Ballads," v. 293).
Lord Randal.
The song of this name (Child, No. 12), like the history of the Merrick youth, deals with a death caused by the venom of a serpent. In this case, however, the hero is destroyed by the agency of his " true love " or betrothed bride, who administers the poison. The ballad is of wide diffusion through Europe, and is connected with a class of similar histories, including the celebrated Italian ballad of " Bella Lombarda," which, with no very good reason, has been sup- posed to owe its origin to the story of the Lombard queen Rose- munda of the sixth century. This English ballad has become pop- ular in a nursery song, very familiar in this country. A number of American variants are given by Child, to which may be added the following : —
A.
" Where have you been, Charlie, O Charlie my son ?
Where have you been, Charlie, my dear and sweet one ? " " Been a-courting Pretty Polly, mother, make my bed soon,
For I 'm sick at my heart, and fain would lie down."
" What had you for supper, O Charlie my son ?
What had you for supper, my dear and sweet one ? " " We had eels fried in butter ; mother, make my bed soon,
For I 'm sick at my heart, and fain would lie down."
" What color were they, Charlie, O Charlie my son ?
What color were they, my dear and sweet one ? " " They were black with white speckles ; mother, make my bed soon,
For I 'm sick at my heart, and fain would lie down."
" O, she 's poisoned you, Charlie, O Charlie my son !
O, she 's poisoned you, Charlie, my dear and sweet one ! " " Yes, she 's poisoned me, mother, make my bed soon,
For I 'm sick at my heart, and fain would lie down." *
1 From Mrs. Fanny D. Bergen, as formerly current in Mansfield, northern Ohio, where it was known to her as the familiar sone of a child named McCulloch.
�� �
