Andrew Bateen- Moses (NH) c.1940 Flanders E
[From Flanders' Ancient Ballads, 1965. Her notes follow.
R. Matteson 2013]
E. Andrew Bateen. As sung by Jonathan Moses, Orford, New Hampshire (no date given, c. 1940) M. Olney, Collector
Structure: ABCDCD (2,2,2,2,2,2); Rhythm B; Contour: arc; Scale: hexachordal t.c. G. For mel. rel. see GCM, 213.
(Last two lines of each verse repeated, verses 6 and 8 excepted.)
Three loving brothers in old Scotland,
Three loving brothers were they;
For they'se cast lots amongst each other
Which go robbing all on the salt sea.
The lot it fell to Andrew Bateen,
The youngest of all three,
That he should maintain his two brothers and he
By robbing all on the salt sea.
They scarce had sailed one cold winter's night
Until the day appeared;
They spied a ship a-sailing far off and a-sailing far on,
And at length it came sailing near by.
"Who art, who art?" says Andrew Bateen,
"Who art that sails so nigh?"
"We are the rich merchants from near England.
Will you please to let us Pass by?"
"Oh no! Oh no!" says Andrew Bateen,
"Such things we never shall do!
Your ship and your cargo we'll take all away
And your bodies we'll feed to the sea."
The news it 'rrived to fair England town-
King Henry bore the crown-
That Andrew Bateen was robbing all on the salt sea.
"Go build a ship," said Captain Charles Storr;
"Go build it strong and sure,
And Andrew Bateen I do not bring back
My life or no longer endure."
They scarce had sailed one cold winter's night
Until the day appeared;
They spied a ship a-sailing far off and a-sailing far on
And at length it came sailing near by.
"'Who art, who art?" says Captain Charles Storr,
"Who art that sails so nigh?"
"'We are the Scotch robbers from old Scotland.
Will you please to let us pass by?"
"Oh no! Oh no!" says Captain Charles Storr,
"Such things we never shall do!
Your ship and your cargo we'll take all away
And your bodies to fair England shore."
"Come on! Come on!" says Andrew Bateen,
"I fear you not one pin!
For brass without it makes a fine show
But we're all steel within."
Broadside, broadside, oh, then they stood
And the cannons loudly roared;
And Captain Charles Storr took Andrew Bateen
And he carried him to fair England shore.
"Go build a gallus," said Captain Charles Storr,
"Go build it strong and sure.
And Andrew Bateen shall be hung thereon
And the rest of his companee." (Last word spoken)