7C. Lord Wetram- Hewitt/Sanders (WV) 1924 (Child 53)
[From: Traditional Ballads & Folk Songs Mainly from West Virginia- John Harrington Cox- 1939 Edited by George Herzog and Herbert Halpert 1939 and George Boswell, 1964. The name, Susan Pious (apparently originally Susan Pye), makes this a rare US version related to "Susan Pye and Lord Beichan"- Child version F; found in Pitcairn's Manuscripts, III, 159, 1817-25, as from the recitation of Widow Stephenson, aged seventy-three.
R. Matteson 2014]
7C - LORD WETRAM
(Young Beichen, Child, Nor 53)
Communicated by Miss Frances Sanders, Morgantown, Monongalia County, June, 1924. Words and tune obtained from Miss Emma Hewitt. Music noted by Miss Sanders.
Lord Wetram was a gentleman,
A gentleman of high degree;
This young nan never could be contented
Till he had taken a voyage to sea.
He sailed east and he sailed west,
He sailed till he came to the Turkish shore,
And there he was taken and put in prison,
There he could see nor hear no more.
3 The Jailor had a lovely daughter,
A lovely daughter of high degree;
She stole the keys from her father's prison,
And said eherd set Lord Wetram free.
4 She led him through her father's garden,
She led him down to the sea-beaten shore,
Saying, "Fare thee well young Susan Pious,[1]
I fear I never shall see you any more."
5 "Three long years I will wait for you,
Another one I'll wait also,
And then, my dear, if you don't cross over,
Another fair one I must adore."
6 Three long years had come and ended,
Another one had come also;
She dressed herself in rich attainments,
And to hunt Lord Wetram she did go.
7 She sailed east until she came to his mansion,
She knocked so loudly at the inn;
It's then spoke up the bold, proud porter,
"Who knocks so loud, would fain come in?"
8 "Oh, Sir, is this Lord Wetram's dwelling,
And ls that noble young man within?"
"Yes, Miss, this is Lord Wetram's dwelling;
He's Just brought home his darling queen."
9 She wrung her hands and she bitterly cried,
"Oh, I wish I were back home again;
I wish I had never come here,
Or ventured over the raging main."
10 Go ask him for three oats of bread
And a little bottle of the strongest wine,
And ask him if he don't remember
Who freed him from his iron chain."
11 It's up then went the bold, proud porter
And on his bended knees he fell,
Saying, "At your door stands the fairest
That my two eyes beheld."
12 Up rose Lord Wetram from the table
And to his wedding did say,
"I've forfeited all my lands and living,
Young Susan pious has come for me."
13 It's up then spoke the young bride's father,
And to Lord Wetram he began,
"Would you for the sake of young Susan Pious
Go and forsake your darling queen?"
14. "'Tis true," said he, "I married your daughter
And to maintain her I did agree;
She came to me on her horse and saddle,
She may go back with her coach and three."
15. He took her by the lily white hand
And he led her over the marble stone,
Saying, "Your name shall be changed from young Susan Pious[1]
And be called the bride of Lord Wetram."
See NC II 50-51.
1. Cf. Child F, Pye or Pyes