Lord Ateman- White (NL) 1929 Greenleaf
[From: Ballads and Sea Songs of Newfoundland- Greenleaf and Mansfield; 1933. Their notes and Kittredge's follow.
R. Matteson 2014]
This fragment is all that we heard of the fine old ballad in which the Turkish lady frees the English lord from prison, and after waiting for him to return, finally goes to his castle, just as his wedding with another (with coaches three) is taking place. To the glory and honor of men, Lord Aleman at once welcomes the Turkish lady and sends the other lady home. The ballad is widely distributed. Phillips Barry prints it from a Boston broadside of the early nineteenth century (Journal, XVIII. 209 n.). See Mackenzie. No. 51 Campbell and Sharp, No. 12; Journal of the Folk-Song Society. VII. SIS (tune); Keith, No. 22j Cox, No.8; Davis, No. 12; Barry, Eckstorm, and Smyth, pp. 106-122; Flanders and Brown, pp. 204-207; Smith, No. S; Hudson, No. 8; Parsons, Journal, XLI, 586-588; Henry, Journal, XLII, 261-262.
7. LORD ATEMAN
(YOUNG BEICHAN, Child, No. 53)
Recited by Henry Albert White, Sandy Cove, 1929.
1. "There's seven long years I will wait for you,
There's seven long years and eleven months three."
She took the keys of her father's prison,
Bound Lord Ateman she would go and see.
2 When she came to Lord Ateman's gate,
So boldly she knocked all at the gate,
"Who's there? Who's there?" cried the bold porter.
"Is this Lord Ateman, or is Lord Ateman within?"
"O yes, O yes," cried the bold porter,
"For he's just now brought his new bride in."
3 "Fetch some of your bread, beer, and wine so strong,
And not forget this young lady,
That eased him out of his prison strong."
4 Lord Ateman flew all in a passion,
He kicked the table in splinters three,
Saying, "You've come here on your own speculation,
You may go home in your coaches, free."[1]
Where there was bread, beer, and wine so strong,
And not forgetting this young lady,
Who eased him out of his prison strong.
1. coaches three