Lord Batesman- Bowman (VA) 1932 Davis AA
[From: More Traditional Ballads of Virginia; Davis, 1960. Davis adds three more ballads after publishing A-I in Traditional Ballads of Virginia, 1929.
Ruby Bowman (married Plemmons) was then a student at State Teachers College and a friend(associate) of Miss Eunice McAlexander, both contributed other ballads to Davis (Wild Hog in the Woods).
After checking, this ballad can be heard on Digital Appalachia (recorded 1976): "Ruby Plemmons sings a ballad she learned from her mother during an interview by Kip Lornell. This takes place near Meadows of Dan, Virginia. Eunice McAlexander is also present, and being interviewed." http://dla.acaweb.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/Ferrum/id/139/rec/1
R. Matteson 2014]
AA. "Lord Batesman." Phonograph record (aluminum) made by A. K. Davis, Jr. Sung by Miss Ruby Bowman, of Laurel Fork, Va. Carroll County. August 10, 1932. Text transcribed by P. C. Worthington. Tune noted by E. C. Mead, who points out "the completely natural alternation of metrical groupings" here in contrast to "the complex rhythmic style" of BB, to follow.
1. There was a rich man lived in England,
And an only son had he,[1]
He never ever could be contented
Till he must take a voyage on the sea.
2. He sailed to the east, and he sailed to the west,
He sailed till he come to the Turkish shore,
And there he was taken and put in prison
Where he could neither see nor hear.
3. That old Turk had an only daughter,
She was so beautiful and fair,
She stole the keys to her father's prison,
Saying, "I'll see if Lord Batestnan's there."
4. "Now have you land or have you living,
Have you a castle of high degree;
What would you bestow upon any fair lady,
Who out of this prison would set you free?"
5. "Yes, I have land and I have living,
I have a castle of high degree,
All of these I'll bestow upon any fair lady,
Who out of this prison will set me free."
6. She took him to her father's parlor,
And treated him of her father's wine,
Saying, every health that she drinks unto him,
"I wish, Lord Batesman, you were mine."
7. "Then seven long years await[2] with patience,
Seven long years and one day more,
And then if you don't come over to me,
Some other woman I must adore."
8. Those seven long years were done and over,
And the eighth was growing nigh,
When she gathered up her rich attire
And thought she would cross the stormy tide.
9. She sailed till she come to Lord Batesman's castle,
The ring she made, the valley ring,
Saying, "If this is Lord Batesman's castle,
Surely there's a noble heart within."
10. Then downstairs ran his proud young porter,
Unlocked and bade the maid[3] come in,
Saying, "Yes, this is Lord Batesman's castle,
But today he has taken a new bride in."
11. "Go ask him for three crusts of his bread,
And a bottle of his wine so strong,
And ask him if he does remember
Who freed him from his dying tomb."
12. Then upstairs ran that proud young porter
And dropped down at Lord Batesman's knee,
Saying, "At your gate is the prettiest creature
That ever my two eyes did see."
13. He spread his gold all over the table,
He cut his loaves in pieces three,
Saying, "I will forfeit my land and labors
If Susan Pine[4] has crossed the sea."
14 And then up stepped that new bride's father,
Saying, "Today I rather see'd her died,
To think that for some other woman
You would forsake your lawful bride."
15 "It is true, Sir, I married your daughter,
But she is none the worse of me,
And Susan came with me on her horse and saddle,
And pays my way across the stormy sea."
1. it was at one point, "of some[son] high degree."
2. I'll wait (1976 recording)
3. faint
4. "Pry" is closer