Andrew Bataan- Richards (NH) 1942 Flanders D
[From Flanders' Ancient Ballads, 1965.
R. Matteson 2013]
D. Andrew Bataan. Sung by Mrs. Belle Richards of Colebrook, N. H. M. Olney, Collector; Sept. 16, 1942.
'Twas of three brothers in merry Scotland
And brothers they were all three.
They all did agree to cast lots on each other
And go roving all o'er the salt sea.
The lot it fell on Andrew Bataan,
The youngest of the three;
He was to go roving all o'er the salt sea
To maintain his two brothers and he.
He scarce had sailed one dark cloudy night
Before he saw a light;
He saw a ship sailing far off and far off
And at length it came sailing nigh.
"Who art, who art?" cried Andrew Bataan,
"Who art thou sails so nigh?"
"We are the rich merchants from old England.
Will you please for to let us by?"
"Oh, no, oh, no," cried Andrew Bataan,
"That thing shall never be.
Your ship and your cargo we'll alt take away
And your body drown in the salt sea."
The news it reached old England's shore.
King Henry wore the crown.
It grieved him to know that his ship it was lost
And his noblemen they were all drowned.
"Go rig me a ship," cried Captain Charles Storr,
"Go rig it safe and sure
And if Andrew Bataan I do not bring here
My life I will never endure."
They scarce had sailed one dark cloudy night
Before they saw a light.
They saw a ship sailing far off and far off
And at length it came sailing nigh.
"Who art, who art," cried Captain Charles Storr,
"Who art thou sails so nigh?"
"We are the Scotch robbers from merry Scotland.
Will you please for to let us pass by?"
"Oh, no, oh, no," cried Captain Charles Storr,
"That thing shall never be.
Your ship and your cargo we'll ll take away
And your body old England shall see."
"Come on, come on," cried Andrew Bataan,
"We fear you not one pin,
For brass without will make a fine show
But we're all good steel within."
Broadside to broadside they came sailing up.
The cannons loud did roar,
But Captain Charles Storr took Andrew Bataan;
He was hung on old England's shore.