This is #12P in the Child cannon. According to Child, the ballad was
"Communicated by Mr Macmath, of Edinburgh, as derived from his aunt,
Miss Jane Webster, formerly of Airds of Kells, now (January 1883) of
Dalry, Kirkudbrightshire, who learned it more than fifty years ago from
Mary Williamson, then a nurse-maid at Airds". Child has it in the
"Additions and Corrections" section in volume I, rather than as part of
the main entry.
The air is attributed to a Miss M. Macmath, of whom I can find no
further
details. I assume she is related to the aforementioned Mr. Macmath.
It should be noted that the the words in the air refer to 'Lord
Randal', whereas the text refers to 'Lord Ronald'.
