3: Rundle My Son
Versions from the Singing Tradition
1: Rundle My Son
As sung by John Stewart, Peat Inn, Fife
2: Lord Donald
As sung by Archie Webster, Strathkiness, Fife
3: Rundle My Son
As sung by Mary Reid, Peat Inn, Fife
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As sung by Mary Reid at Well Cottage, Peat Inn on 2 April 1967 (67.2.11). Learned within her family. John Stewart and his wife Mary Reid were travellers of the old style - they had few possessions - a pram and sometimes a bicycle with a waterproof sheet to make a 'bow tent'. They called at my door at Peat Inn where I was living at the time for hot water to make a can of tea. I invited them in and we spent the afternoon singing songs and ballads in the kitchen. Mary Reid sang her rather fragmentary version of the ballad (with three line stanzas) before the fuller version (Version 1) sung by John Stewart.
'O where have you been O Rundle my son?'
'I been away huntin mother make my bed soon,
For I'm wearied wi wandred an' fain could lie doun.'
'Have you eaten any supper, O Rundle my son?'
'Black backs and white bellies mother make my bed soon,
For I'm wearied, wearied wandrin an' fain could lie doun.'
'What will you leave to your father, O Rundle my son?'
'My purse an' my sovereigns mother make my bed soon,
For I'm wearied, wearied wandrin an' fain could lie doun.'
'What'll you leave to your sweetheart, O Rundle my son?'
'A rope and a ladder behind thon gallus tree,
For it's she's been the cause o pooshin o me.'
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