Lord Bakeman- McAlexander (VA) c.1930 Yates REC
[From Far in the Mountains, Yates 1979; Also recorded Digital Appalachia; Lornell. Eunice Yeatts surely knew this ballad by the time she attended State Teachers College in Virginia with Ruby Bowman (Plemmons). Bowman's version was collected by Kyle Davis in 1932.
Cf. Ruby Bowman Plemmons (VA) 1932. Yates notes follow.
R. Matteson 2014]
Professor Child prints fifteen versions of this ballad, all but one from Scotland. He also mentions a number of European examples from Spain to Scandinavia.
Cecil Sharp noted a tune for this ballad from Joe Blackett of Meadows of Dan, VA., on 28.8.1918. In 1916 he collected a single verse and tune from Mrs. Zipporah Rice (then a fifteen year-old girl) of Sodom Laurel, who I met in 1980. The ballad was printed in some early American songsters and, according to Mark Wilson, was heard on the radio fairly often. After collecting a very full set of Lord Bateman from a Sussex gypsy some years ago, I was intrigued to hear the singer's three daughters arguing among themselves as to whether it really was possible for a man to marry two women on the same day.
Lord Bateman (Child 53, Roud 40)- Sung by Eunice Yeatts MacAlexander at her home in Meadows of Dan, Patrick County, VA. 7.8.79. Spoken: I'll sing the ballad of Lord Bateman.
There was a rich man lived in England,
And an only son had he.
He never, never could be contented,
Till he set sail upon the sea.
He sailed to the East and he sailed to the West,
He sailed till he came to the Turkish shore;
And there he was taken and put in prison,
Where he could see nor hear no more.
That old Turk had an only daughter,
And she was beautiful to see.
'What would you bestow upon any fair maiden,
Who out of this prison would set you free?'
'Oh I have land and I have living,
And I have a castle of high degree.
All this I bestow upon any fair maiden,
Who out of this prison would set me free.'
She took him in her father's parlour,
She gave him of her father's wine.
And every health that she drank unto him,
Was, 'I wish'd Lord Bateman you'd be mine.'
'Seven long years I'll wait with patience,
Seven long years and one day more.
And then if you don't cross over to me,
Some other woman I must adore.'
Seven long years had passed and gone,
Seven long years and three weeks beside.
Then Susan gathered up her silks and finery
And thought she would cross the rolling tide.
She sailed till she came to Lord Bateman's castle,
Then she made the valley ring.
Saying, 'If this is Lord Bateman's castle,
Surely there's a noble heart within.'
Downstairs ran the proud young porter,
Open and bade the ( ? ) come in.[1]
Saying, 'Yes, this is Lord Bateman's castle
And today he's taken a new bride in.'
'Go ask him for three cuts of his bread,
And a bottle of his wine so strong.
And ask him if he does remember
Who freed him from his dying thong?'
Upstairs ran the proud young porter,
Down before Lord Bateman on his knee.
Saying, 'At your gate is the prettiest creature
That ever my two eyes did see.'
Then up started proud Lord Bateman,
And a mighty oath swear he.
'I'll forfeit all my land and living,
If Susan Pye has crossed the sea.'
Then upspake the new bride's father,
Saying, 'Today I would rather she'd have died.
To think that for some other woman,
You would forsake your lawful bride.'
'It is true I've married your daughter,
But she is none the worse of me.
While Susan came with her horse and saddle,
And paid my way across the briny sea.'
1. Bade the maid come in.