+The Text+ is from Jamieson's _Popular Ballads_. He obtained it from
Mrs. Brown. It is by far the best version of a score or so in existence.
The name of the hero varies from Lamkin, Lankin, Lonkin, etc., to Rankin
and Balcanqual. I have been informed by Andrew McDowall, Esq., of an
incomplete version in which Lamkin's name has become 'Bold Hang'em.'
Finlay (_Scottish Ballads_) remarks:-- 'All reciters agree that
Lammikin, or Lambkin, is not the name of the hero, but merely an
epithet.'
+The Story+ varies little throughout all the versions, though in some,
as in one known to Percy, it lacks much of the detail here given.