LORD BATEMAN was a noble lord, A noble lord he was of high degree; And he determined to go abroad, Some foreign countries for to see. He sailed east and he sailed west, Until he came to Sentipee, Where he was taken and bound in irons Until his life was quite wearee; And in this prison there grew a tree, And there it grew so stout and strong; They took and chained him round his middle, Until his life was nearly gone. Now this Turk he had an only daughter, As fair as my two eyes did see; She stole the keys of her father's prison, And said Lord Bateman she would go see. "Lord Bateman, have you got houses and land, And doth Northumberland belong to thee? What wilt thou give to the fair young lady Who out of prison sets you free?" "Oh yes, I have houses and land, And half Northumberland belongs to me; I'll give it all to the fair young lady Who out of prison sets me free." Then she took him to her father's cellar, And gave to him the very best wine, And every health she drank unto him, She said: "Lord Bateman, I wish you were mine!" Then they made a vow for seven long years, That for seven long years they would keep it strong, That he would marry no other woman, And she would marry no other man. Then she took him to her father's harbor And gave to him a ship of fame; "Farewell, farewell, farewell, Lord Bateman! I fear I ne'er shall see you again!" When seven long years had passed and gone, And fourteen days well known to me, She packed up all her gay gold clothing, And said Lord Bateman she would go see. And when she reached Lord Bateman's castle, She boldly there did ring the bell. "Who's there? Who's there?" cried the proud young porter, "Who's there? Who's there? Come, quickly tell!" "And what is this? Lord Bateman's castle? And is his lordship here within? "Oh yes, oh yes!" cried the proud young porter, "He's just now taking his fair bride in." "Go, bid him send me a slice of bread And eke a bottle of his very best wine, And not forget the fair young lady Who did release him from close confine." And away and away sped this proud young porter, And away and away and away flew he, Until he reached Lord Bateman's chamber, He then fell on his bended knee. "What news, what news, my proud young porter, What news, what news can you tell to me?" "Oh, there is one of the fairest ladies That ever my two eyes did see! "She had diamond rings on every finger, And on one she has got three, And enough gay gold about her clothing That would buy all Northumberlee! "She bids you send her a slice of bread And a bottle of your very best wine, And not forget the fair young lady Who did release you when in close confine." Then Lord Bateman he flew in a passion, And he split his sword in splinters three. "I'll roam no more in foreign countries, Now my Sophia's crossed the sea!" Then up spoke the young bride's mother, Who'd never been known to speak so free: "You'll not forget my only daughter, If a Sophia's crossed the sea!" "I'll own I've made your daughter a bride, But she's none the better, nor the worse for me. She came to me in a horse and saddle, She may go back in her coach and three!" Then Lord Bateman fixed another wedding, And with his heart so full of glee He roamed no more in foreign countries, Now his Sophia'd crossed the sea. |