Lord Bateman

Lord Bateman was a noble lord
A noble lord of some high degree
He shipped himself on board a ship
Some foreign count-e-ries he would go see

Lord Bateman was a noble lord
A noble lord of high degree
He put himself on board a ship
Some foreign country he would go see

He sail-ed east, and he sail-ed west
Until he came to p-roud Turkey
Where he was taken and put in prison
Until his life it-e-grew quite weary

He sailed East and he sailed West
Sailed in to proud Turkey
But he was taken and put in prison
Until his life grew quite weary

And in this prison there grew a tree
It grew so large and it grew so strong
Where he was chain-ed around the middle
Until his life it-e-was almost gone

In their prisons they grew a tree
They grew it stout and grew it strong
And he was chained up all by the middle
Until his life was almost gone

His jailer had but one only daughter
The fairest creature my two eyes did see
She stole the keys of her father's prison
And said Lord Bateman she would set free

But Turkey had one only daughter
As fair a lady as ever did see
She shed her tear, she set her mind
And she swore Lord Bateman she would go see

Now have you houses have you got land
And does Northumberland belong to thee?
And what would you give to the fair young lady
That out of prison would set you free?

Do you have land, do you have living
Does Northumberland belong to thee
What would you give to a brave young lady
If out of prison she set you free

Yes I've got houses and I've got land
And half Northumberland belongs to me
I would give it all to that fair young lady
That out of prison would set me free.

I have land, land and I have living
And half Northumberland belongs to me
I'd give it all to a brave young lady
If out of prison she would set me

That's what Joseph Taylor sings on the cylinder recording. The following verses which continue the story are from Tony Barrand's Heartoutbursts. Mr Thomson (more or less) sings the second and third of these on Unto Brigg Fair, in addition to those sung by Joseph Taylor (except for the one about the tree).

She took him to her marble parlor,
She gave him cake and a bottle of wine,
And every health that she drank unto him,
I wish, Lord Bateman, that you were mine.

She stole the key from her fathers pillow
Poured Lord Bateman her fathers wine
Every health they drank together
Oh I wish Lord Bateman you were mine

And it's seven long years I'll make a vow,
And seven long years I will keep it strong,
If you will wed with no other woman,
Then I'll not wed with no other man.

She took him to her father's harbor,
She gave to him a ship of fame,
Farewell and adieu to you, Lord Bateman,
I fear I'll never see you again.

She's took him down to her father's harbour
Found for him the ship of fame
Farewell, farewell, farewell Lord Bateman
I'm sure I'll never see your face again

Now the seven long years were past and gone,
And fourteen days, well-known to me,
She set her foot all in a ship,
And said Lord Bateman she would go see.

Seven long years were gone and past
From her heart she had not ken free
She's packed up all her gold clothing
Swore Lord Bateman she would go see

And when she's come to Lord Bateman's castle,
She knocked so loudly upon the pin,
And who should come down but the proud young porter,
To rise and let this fair lady in.

When she came to London city
She cried Lord Bateman through the town
Every stranger that did pass by her
Did lead her on too Northumberland

Is this here Lord Bateman's castle,
And is Lord Bateman here within?
Oh yes, oh yes, said the proud young porter,
He's just now taken his new bride in.

Is this called Lord Bateman's castle?
Is his lordship here within?
Oh yes, oh yes cried the proud young porter
Pray tell what news I may give to him

Tell him to bring me a loaf of bread,
A bottle of the very best wine,
And not to forget the fair young lady
As did release him when close confined.

Go tell him send me a cut of bread
Go tell him send me a cup of wine
And to remember the brave young lady
Who did release him when he was confined

Away, away tore the proud young porter
Away, away, away went he
He cried Lord Bateman my lord and master
I'm sure Sophia has crossed the sea

What news, what news, my proud young porter?
What news, what news? Now, tell to me.
There is the fairest of all young ladies
As ever my two eyes did see.

She has got rings, rings on every finger
And round her middle one she wears three
She has more gold all about her person
For to buy Northumberland from under thee

She bid you send her a loaf of bread,
A bottle of the very best wine,
And not to forget the fair young lady
As did release you when close confined.

She tells you send her a cut of bread
And tells you send her a cup of wine
And to remember the brave young lady
Who did release you when you were confined

Lord Bateman he flew in a passion,
He broke the table in splinters three,
I'll wager all my father's lands and riches
That my Sophia has come from sea.

Lord Bateman then in silence fell
From his heart he had not been free
I'll give you all my Father's stable
If my Sophia has crossed the sea

Then up and spoke the young bride's mother,
Who never was known to speak so free,
What will you do for my only daughter,
If your Sophia has come from sea?

I own I wed your only daughter,
She's neither the better nor the worse for me,
She came to me on a horse and saddle,
She shall ride home in a carriage and three.

Then he's prepared another wedding,
And both their hearts so full of glee,
Oh, never more will I sail the ocean,
Now my Sophia has come to me.

Bateman then too his true love flew
From their hearts they had not ken free
He's kissed her hand and he's kissed her cheek
And neither man nor woman speak
And never was love so complete
Since brave Sophia have acrossed the sea.