Lord Bateman- Lena Bourne Fish (NH) 1940 Warner; Flanders T
[From Traditional American Folksongs; Frank and Anne Warner, 1984. This appears as Flanders T (Ancient Ballads, 1966). As sung by Mrs. Lena Bourne Fish of East Jaffrey, New Hampshire. M. Olney, Collector; May 9, 1940. Olney recorded Fish twice and there are some variations in text but they are minor.
R. Matteson 2012, 2014]
Lord Bateman- Lena Bourne Fish (NH) 1940 Warner
1. Lord Bateman thirsted for dominion,
And so he traveled to foreign lands,
He sailed away to the shores of Turkey,
Where he was put in iron bands.
2. The Turkish king had but one daughter,
A charming maiden and fair to see.
She stole the keys of her daddy's prison,
And vowed Lord Bateman she would set free.
3. "Have you houses and have you lands,
And have you livings of high degree?
Will you share them with a Turkish princess,
If from this prison she will set you free?"
4. "Oh I have castles and I have lands,
And I have livings of high degree.
All of these will I give to you, my princess,
If from this prison you will set me free."
5. She took him then to her daddy's parlor,
Gave him freely of a wine so strong,
And every health she drink to Bateman,
She heartily wished that he was her own.
6. "Let's make a pledge and a solemn vow,
For seven long years it shall extend,
That you shall wed no other maiden,
And I will wed no other man."
6. Seven long years soon had passed,
And eight and nine had passed away.
Still Bateman waited for a princess,
Although his locks were turning grey.
7. One day a lady came to his castle,
And asked if Lord Bateman dwelt therein.
"Oh, yes," replied the brisk young porter,
"I will call him, please wait within."
8. "Please ask him if he has forgotten
The Turkish princess that set him free,
And that my vows are not forgotten,
I'm waiting still his bride to be."
9. He took her by the lily white hand
And led her over the marble stone.
She is known no more as Susan Friar[1]
But is now the wife of Lord Bateman.
1. Fish sang "Turkish Princess" in one version for Olney.