Lord Bateman- Slauterwhite (NS) 1950 Creighton REC
[From: Maritime Folk Songs: from the Collection of Helen Creighton; Folkways Records FW04307/ FE 4307; 1962. This version is based on Child L, the broadside dating back to the early 1800s in England. The difference is the Turkish lady is name "Susie Pie," an old name associated with the older Scottish Child versions.
R. Matteson 2014]
LORD BATEMAN- Sung by Mr. David Slauenwhite, 75 years old, Terrance Bay, Sept. 1950.
Lord Bateman was a noble lord,
A noble lord of high degree,
He shipped himself on board some ship, 'n
Some foreign counteree for to go see.
He sailed east and he sailed west
Until he came unto Turkey,
There he was taken and put in prison
Until his life it was almost gone.
The squire had one only daughter,
An only daughter, a lady fair,
She stole the keys of her father's prison
And swore Lord Bateman she would let free.
She took him down in her father's cellar
And treated him to the best of wine,
And every health that she drank unto him,
"I wish Lord Bateman that you were mine."
She took him down by the seaside,
She gave to him a ship of fame,
"Farewell, farewell oh," she cries, "Lord Bateman,
I'm afraid I never shall see you again. "
For seven years they made a vow,
And seven more to keep it strong,
"If you don't wed with no other fair maid,
It's I'll not wed with no other man."
When seven years it was passed and over,
And seven more it was drawing nigh,
She packed up all her gayest clothing
And swore, "Lord Bateman I must go find. "
She sailed 'long until she came to Lord Bateman's castle,
So loudly she rang the bell,
"Who's there, who's there?" cried this proud young porter,
"Who's there, who's there, come and quickly tell. "
She said, "Oh is this Lord Bateman's castle,
Or is Lord Bateman now within?"
"Oh yes, oh yes, " cried the proud young porter,
He's just now taking his new bride in. "
"Tell him to send me a slice of cake
And a bottle of his best of wine,
And to not forget oh this fair young lady
That did release him of his close confine. "
Away, away runs this proud young porter,
Away, away, and away run he,
And when he came to Lord Bateman's office
Down on his two bended knees fell he.
"Now what's the matter, my proud young porter,
What news, what news have you brought to me ?"
"Outside the door stands a fair a creature
As ever at my two eyes did see.
She has got rings onto every finger,
And on the middle one she has got three,
There's as much gay gold hanging round her middle
That would buy all of North Cumberlee.
"She says to send her a slice of cake
And a bottle of your best of wine,
And to not forget oh that fair young lady,
Since Susie Pye she has crossed the sea."
Lord Bateman into a passion flew,
He split his sword into splinters three ,
"No more I'll ramble this wide world over
Since Susie Pye she has crossed the sea."
O then up speaks the young bride's mother
Who never was knowing for to speak so free,
"It's don't forget oh my only daughter
Which out of prison has set you free."
"I never made your daughter my bride,
She's none the better of worse of me,
She came to me on a horse and saddle,
She may drive back on a coach and three. "