Note 96 — THE BALLAD

Frogs, toads, snakes, and the like were often served for fish, and of course were supposed to act as a poison. One variant has a verse to elaborate this:-- "Where gat she those eels, Lord Randal, my son? Where gat she those eels, my handsome young man?" "'Neath the bush o' brown bracken; mother, make my bed soon, For I'm weary wi' hunting, and fain wald lie down."