The Turkish Lady- (KY) 1931 Jean Thomas
[From Devil's Ditties p. 86-87, 1931. No informant named, sung in Kentucky--this is only the first half of the ballad. Thomas discovered William Day, old-time fiddler and changed his name to Jilson Settles-- he was featured in this 1931 book. She also held old-time festivals; the first American Folk Song Festival was held in 1932 in Jean Thomas’ home town of Ashland, and featured 18 acts.
R. Matteson 2014]
"The Turkish Lady"- Jean Thomas, 1931, pp. 86-87. Sung in Kentucky.
1. Lord Bakeman was a noble lord.
He was a lord of high degree.
He could not rest or be contented
Until he had voyaged across the sea.
2. He sailed east and he sailed westward
Until he reached the Turkish shore;
And there he was taken and put in prison;
He lived in hopes of freedom no more.
3. Lord Bakeman rose up from the table
He bursted it to splinters three,
Saying, "I'll bet my houses and my lands
That the Turkish lady has crossed the sea."
4. "Have you houses or have you lands
Or are you of some high degree?
Would you give it all to the Turkish lady
If out of prison would set you free?"
5. "I have houses and I have lands
And I am of some high degree;
I would give it all to the Turkish lady
If out of prison she'd set me free."
6. They made a vow and they made it strong
Seven long years and two and three,
"If you won't marry no other woman
It's I won't marry no other man."
7. Seven long years I will make a vow, sir,
Seven long years and two and three,
She gathered up her rich gay clothing
And she said "Lord Bakeman, I will go see."