Lord Batesman- (KY) pre1937 Wheeler/Bridge; Bronson 96.
[From: Kentucky Mountain Folk-Songs by Mary Wheeler (collector) with piano accompaniments added by Clara Bridge Published by Boston: Boston Music Co., 1937; pp. 89-100.
This version is based on the Child L, the broadside. No informant, specific place or date is named.
R. Matetson 2014]
Lord Batesman
1. There was a man who lived in England
He was of some high degree;
He became uneasily discontented,
Some foreign lands, some lands for to see.
2. He sailed east, he sailed west,
He sailed all over the Turkish shore,
Till he was caught and put in prison,
Never to be released anymore.
3. The Turk he had one lovely daughter,
The loveliest mine eyes did ever see;
She stole the keys to her father's prison,
And swore Lord Batesman she'd set free.
4, She took him down to the lowest cellar,
She poured him a glass of the strongest wine,
Saying, "Every moment seems an hour,
O, Lord Batesman, if you were mine!"
5. They made a vow, they made a promise,
They made a vow, they let it stand;
He vowed he'd marry no other woman,
She vowed she'd marry no other man.
6. Seven long years had rolled around;
It seemed as though it were twenty three.
"But, if he's gone for seven years longer,
No other man can marry me."
7. Seven long years had rolled around;
It seemed as though it were twenty nine;
She bundled up her finest clothing,
And swore Lord Batesman she'd go and find.
8. She went till she came to rhe gate; she tingled;
How boldly then she rang the bell.
"Who's there? Who's there?" cried the proud young porter,
"O come unto me, and quickly tell!"
g. "O is this here Lord Batesman's dwelling,
And is his Lordship within?''
"O yes! O yes!" cried the proud young porter,
He's just now bringing his young bride in."
10. "Go remember him of a piece of bread,
Go remember him of a glass of wine,
Go remember him of the Turkish Lady
Who set him free from close confine."
11. Away and away went this proud young porter,
Away and away, and away went he,
Until he came to Lord Batesman's chamber,
When he fell down on bended knee.
12. "What news? What news? my proud young porter?
What news, what news do you bring to me?"
"There is a lady at your gate, sir,
Fairer than your bride will ever be.
13. "She has got gold rings on ev'ry finger,
And on one she has got three,
With as much gold around her middle,
As would buy the half of Northumberlee.
14. "She bids you remember a piece of bread,
She bids you remember a glass of wine,
She bids you remember the fair young lady,
Who set you free from the cold iron bond."
15. He stamped his foot upon the floor,
The table he broke in pieces three,
Saying "I'll forsake both lands and dwelling
For the Fair Ladye who set me free."
16. Then Lord Batesman into a passion few,
He broke his sword in splinters three,
Saying "I'll forsake both land and honor,
If Sophia has crossed the sea."
17. Then up spoke the young bride's mother,
An angry, outspoken old thing was she:
"Don't you forget mine only daughter,
In Sophia has crossed the sea."
18. "I own I made a bride of your daughter,
She's none the better or worse for me;
She came to me in a horse and saddle,
She shall go back in a carriage and three."
19. Another wedding was prepared,
With both their hearts so full of glee;
No more he roams in foreign waters,
Since Sophia has crossed the sea.