US & Canada Versions: 53A. The Turkish Lady
[Some US versions of the related ballad, Child 53 Young Beichan (Lord Bateman) are titled "The Turkish Lady." In 1917 Kittredge pointed out:
"The Turkish Lady" . . . has often been printed, and has obtained some oral currency. It tells substantially the same tale, but briefly, and names no names. (JOAFL)
If the version doesn't mention Lord Bateman/Batesman and the Turkish lady doesn't visit his castle (house) and interrupt his new marriage to a young bride-- it's a version of the Turkish Lady.
Unusual is the rare recording by J.E. Mainer "Turkish Lady" with banjo and dobro. (The Legendary J.E. Mainer with Morris Herbert)
R. Matteson 2012; 2014]
Illustration from The Forget-me-not Songster
CONTENTS:
1. The Turkish Lady- From log of the whaling ship, Two Brothers (Mass.) 1768 Huntington
2. The Turkish Lady- Forget-me-Not Songster c. 1845 Barry JOAFL 1910
3. Turkish Lady- J. E. Mainer (NC) c.1968 REC