Lord Bateman- Baker (KY) c.1940s Niles
[No date is given by Niles, I've guesstimated the early 1940s but it could be earlier- if it was even collected. From the Ballad Book of John Jacob Niles, 1961. This version like likely a re-creation by Niles, since additions seem to have been made that don't resemble any type of traditional text. The first 5 stanzas are particularly flagrant.
R. Matteson 2014]
Lord Bateman (Niles No. 22)- Granny Cilla Baker (KY) c.1940s Niles
1. In London town was Bateman dwelling,
He was a man of high degree.
His father wore a noble bearing,
His father and his family.
2. Now he was born like it was Monday,
And he was christened Tuesday e'en,
King Henry and his court attended
Because hit was a royal scene.
3. Now Bateman traveled many cities,
He sailed through all the Northern Sea,
The mighty King of France he holpen,
They give him shelter and some fee.
4. He sailed in the Middle Ocean
Right up into the Turkish shore,
And in the harbor he made an anchor,
And then his sailin' days were o'er.
5. For many months he lay lamenting,
A prisoner to the Turkish king.
He could not see the light of summer,
He could not hear the songbirds sing.
6. A tree did grow inside that prison,
To hit Lord Bateman he was tied.
He pulled beside a span of oxen,
He pulled until he all but died.
7. The Turkish king, he had one daughter,
And she was of a high degree.
She stole the keys of her father's prison,
Said: "They be a prisoner I must see."
8. "Have you got lands, have you got living,
Have you got any houses free?
What would you give to the fair lady
Who out of prison set you free?"
9. "Yes, I've got lands and I've got living,
Umberland town belongs to me,
I'll give hit all to the fair lady
Who out of prison sets me free."
10. She took him to her father's castle,
She bad him drink the strongest wine,
"I do not want Lord Bateman's siller,[1]
I only wish that he were mine."
11. They made a vow, they made a promise,
They made hit free, so hit would stand.
He vowed he'd marry ne'er another,
She vowed she'd have no other man.
12. took him down unto the sea sad,[2]
She left him sailin' o'er the main,
Said: "Fare ye well, my own, my true love,
I fear I'll ne'er see you again."
13, Now several years have come and goned,
And fourteen days, by one, two, three.
She clothed herself in gay apparel,
Said: "'Tis Sir Bateman I must see."
14. When she did come to Bateman's castle,
How boldly tingled on the ring.
"Who's there, who's there?" cried thc proud young porter,
"Who's there, who's there that would come in?"
15. "Is this, is this Lord Bateman's castle,
Or is the noble lord within?"
"Oh yes, oh yes," cried the proud young porter,
"This is the day of his weddin'."
16. "Has Bateman wedded to another,
Has Bateman clean forgotten me?"
And with a sigh said the Turkish lady,
"I wish I were in my own country!"
17. "Go tell Sir Bateman for to remember
And for to send some bread and wine,
And not forget the fair young lady
Who let him out of close confine."
18. "What news, what news, what news, my porter?
What news, what news bring you to me?"
"There is a gay and handsome lady,
The fairest ever eye[3] did see.
19. "The gold she wears upon her fingers
Would buy one-half of this country.
Some bread, some wine was all she craved,
In memory of your settin' free.
20. "Sir Bateman, I have been your porter
Some thirty years and more by three,
There at your portals stands the fairest
Ever the eye of man did see."
21. Up spake the bride's old mother,
"Shame on this house, and shame on ye,
If he excepted not my daughter,
He should remember my great beauty."
22. Sir Bateman flew into a passion,
He kicked a table to a side,
"I will forsake both lands and dwelling,
Suzanna now will be my bride."
23. "Take back, take back, take back your daughter,
I'm sure she's none the worse for me,
She came here by a horse and saddle,
I'll send her back in a coacheree."
24. Then angry spoke the forenoon bridelet:
"Your love is could to me so soon?
Is this the custom of your country,
To choose again ere it be noon?"
25. He took Suzanna's hand so tender,
He stood before the nobles all,
"Now I will wed my own, my true love,
And welcome her to my bower and hall."
1. silver
2. Side.
3. Perhaps "I."