The first printed version of “Lord Randal” appeared in 1629, but the ballad had existed in Scotland long before—at least since the 1500s, a time of great turmoil in that country. Scotland’s rivaling neighbors, England and France each vied for a degree of sovereignty over Scotland and each sought to establish Scotland as an ally with whom, as nations, they would hold common religious precepts.

In his collection of essays The Ballad as Song, Bertrand Harris Bronson lists “Lord Randal” as one of the seven most popular ballads in the world. As he puts it, the popularity of this ballad and many others stems from its presentation of “love as a disease from which no one recovers.”

The Sound Of Fetisj 1982
Rite De Passage -Lord Randall -original version

Vinyl 12″ +Cassette Tape + Digital Album

Lord Randall –lyrics

O where have you been, Lord Randall, my son?
Where have you been, my handsome young man?

And who let you die, Lord Randall, my son?

And who let you die, my handsome young man?

And what did she give you, Lord Randall, my son?

And what did she give you, my handsome young man?

Eels, mother, fried in a pan

They were streaked and striped, mother, make my bed soon.

And where did they come from?

They came from the ditches.

And who got your leavings? Lord Randall, my son?

And who got your leavings? my handsome young man?

And what became of them? Lord Randall, my son?

And what became of them? my handsome young man?

Oh, I fear you are poisoned, Lord Randall, my son?

Oh, I fear you are poisoned, my handsome young man?

Oh Yes, I am poisoned, mother, make my bed soon.”

Sick, sick, weary and tired,

Sick to the heart and I want to lie down

O where have you been, Lord Randall, my son?

Where have you been, my handsome young man?

And who let you die, Lord Randall, my son?

And who let you die my handsome young man?”

And what did she give you?” Lord Randall, my son?

And what did she give you?” my handsome young man?”