Lord Bateman- Smith/Patrick (KY) 1917 Sharp G
[My title. From English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, 1932 Sharp and Karpeles Vol. I. The music has the fourth stanza text, with Lord Beecham, found in Sharp F, instead of Lord Bateman. A mistake?
R. Matteson 2012, 2014]
G. [Lord Bateman]- Sung by Mrs. NANNY SMITH and Mrs. POLLY PATRICK at Goose Creek, Manchester, Clay Co., Ky., Aug. 16, 1917.
Pentatonic. Mode 1.
1 There was a noble lord,
A noble lord was he.
He shipped himself on board a ship,
Some foreign country he would see.
2 He sailed East and he sailed West
Until he came to Turkey,
And there was he put into prison
Until his life grew weary.
3 All in this prison there grew a tree
So very stout and strong,
And he was fastened to this tree
Until his life was almost gone.
4 The Turks they had one only daughter,
The fairest creature eyes ever did see.
She stole the keys of her father's prison,
And said: Lord Bateman I will free.
5 Have you houses, have you got land?
Does Northumberland belong to thee?
And what will you give to the fair young lady
That out of prison will set you free?
6 I have houses and I have land,
Half of Northumberland belongs to me,
And I'll give it all to the fair young lady
That out of prison will set me free.
7 Then she took him to her father's table
And gave to him the best of wine;
And every health she drunk unto him:
0 Lord Bateman, I wish that you were mine.
8 Then she led him to her father's harbour
And gave to him a ship of mine.
Farewell, farewell to you, Lord Bateman,
I fear I'll never see you again.
9 With these I'll make a vow,
And seven long years Til hold it strong.
If you will wed no other woman,
I will wed no other man.
10 Seven long years had come and gone,
Fourteen days well known to thee.
She dressed herself in her fine, gay, gold clothing,
And says: Lord Bateman, I'll go see.
11 And when she come to Lord Bateman's castle
And there she tingled at the bell.
Who's there, who's there? cried the proud young porter.
Who's there, who's there? Unto me tell.
12 Is this Lord Bateman's castle,
And is his lordship here within?
This is Lord Bateman's castle;
He's just now taken a young bride in.
13 Go tell him to send me a slice of cake,
A bottle of the best wine,
And not to forget the fair young lady
That did release him from close confine.
14 Away, away went the proud young porter,
Until Lord Bateman he did see.
What news, what news, my proud young porter?
What news, what news have you brought unto me?
15 There is the fairest young lady
That ever my eyes did see;
She has a ring on every finger,
On one she wears three.
16 She says for you to bring her a slice of cake,
A bottle of the best wine,
And not to forget the fair young lady
That did release you from close confine.
17 Lord Bateman in a passion flew,
His sword he broke in pieces three.
I'll forsake my house and all my living
If Sophie hasn't crossed the sea.
18 Then up spoke the young bride's mother
Who was never heard to speak so free:
O don't forsake my only daughter,
Although Sophie have crossed the sea.
19 I own I've made a bride of your only daughter;
She's none the worse by me.
She come here on her own horse and saddle,
I'll send her home in a coacheree.
20 O then the wedding was prepared;
It's both their hearts is full of glee,
I'll range no more in a foreign country
So Sophie has crossed the sea.