A Turkish Lady- Dennis (KY) 1922 Cox
[From: Traditional Ballads & Folk Songs Mainly from West Virginia- John Harrington Cox- 1939 Edited by George Herzog and Herbert Halpert 1939 and George Boswell, 1964. This version is similar to Child L, The Loving Ballad of Lord Bateman, 1838. Cf. Jean Ritchie's 1958 recording (Knott County).
R. Matteson 2014]
7A - A TURKISH LADY
(Young Beichan, Child, No. 55)
Taken from a manuscript song book compiled by Miss Camilla Dennis from the singing of school children at Hindman, Knott County, Kentucky, 1922-23.
1. There was a man he lived in London,
And he was of some high degree,
He became uneasy discontented,
Some fair land, some land to see.
2. O he sailed East, O he sailed West,
He sailed all over the Turkish shore.
Till he was caught and put in prison,
Never to be released any more.
3. The Turk he had but one lone daughter,
And she was of some high degree,
She stole the keys to her father's dwelling,
Declared Lord Batesman should set free.
4. She took him down to the lowest cellar,
She drew him a drink of the strongest wine,
Every moment seemed an hour;
"O Lord Batesman, if you were mine."
5. "Let's make a vow, let's make a promise,
Let's make a vow, let's make it stand;
You vow you'll marry no other woman,
I'll vow I'll marry no other man."
6. They made a vow, they made a promise,
They made a vow, they made it stand;
He vowed he'd marry no other woman,
She vowed she'd marry no other man.
7. Seven long years have rolled around,
It seemed as though it were twenty-three,
She packed up her gay gold and clothing,
Declared Lord Batesman she'd go see.
8. Seven long years have rolled around,
It seemed as though it were twenty-nine;
She packed up her gay gold and clothing,
Declared Lord Batesman she'd go find.
9. She went till she came to the gate; she tingled,
It was so loud but she wouldn't come in;
"Who's there, who's there?" cried a young porter,
"Who's there, who's there, unto me tell?"
10. "Is this Lord Batesman's castle,
And is his Lordship here within?"
Yes, this is Lord Batesman' s castle,
He' s just now taken his young bride."
11. Away, away wont this young porter,
Away, away and away went he,
Until he came unto Lord Batesman,
And down he fell upon his knee.
12. "What news, what news, my proud young porter,
What news, what news have you brought me?"
"O there is the fairest of all young ladies
That ever my two eyes did see."
13. "O she's got rings on every finger,
And on one of them she's got three,
And more gay gold about her middle,
Than would buy Northumberland for thee."
14. "She bids you remember a piece of bread,
She bids you remember a glass of wine,
She bids you remember a Turkish lady,
Who freed you from cold iron bands."
15. Then Lord Batesman into a passion flew,
He broke his sword into splinters three;
"I'll give all my father's wealth and riches,
If Sophia has crossed the sea."
16. Then up spoke his young bride's mother,
She never'd been known to speak so free;
"Don't you forget my only daughter,
Although Sophia has crossed the sea."
17. "I own I've made a bride of your daughter,
She's none the better or worse for me;
She came to me on a horse and saddle,
She shall go back in a carriage and three."
18. Then another marriage was prepared,
With all their hearts so full of glee;
"No more I'll range in foreign waters,
Since Sophia has crossed the sea."