Andrew Batan- Williams (NC) pre1939 Eddy B
[From Eddy's Ballads and Songs from Ohio, 1939. The ballad is actually from New England via North Carolina.
R. Matteson 2013]
B. ANDREW BATAN
From Professor James H. Hanford, Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Hanford procured this song from L. C. Williams whose home was in North Carolina. Mr. Williams had it from his father who was a New Englander.
1. There were three brothers from merry Scotland,
And three merry brothers were they;
They cast lots from one to the other
To see which one of them robbers would be.
2. The lot it fell on Andrew Batan,
The youngest of the three,
That he should go robbing on the high seas
All for his brothers and he.
3. He had not sailed one long winter's night,
When daylight did appear,
He saw a ship sailing far off and far off,
Till at least it came sailing so near.
4. "'Who's there, who's there," cried Andrew" Batan,
"'Who's there come sailing so nigh?"
"We are the rich merchants from old England shore;
Will you please for to let us pass by?"
5. "Oh, no, oh, nor" cries Andrew Batan,
"Oh, no, that never can be,
Your ship and your cargo I'll take all away,
And your bodies shall feed the salt sea'"
6. The news to old England gone,
(King Henry wears the crown,)
That the rich merchant's goods were all taken away
And his mariners they were all drowned.
7. "Go, build me a ship," cries Captain Charles Stuart,
"Go build it strong and secure,
And if I do not bring back Andrew Batan,
His life shall not long endure."
8. The ship was built both strong and secure,
As we do understand,
And Captain Charles Stuart was placed thereon
To take the bold command.
9. He had not sailed one long winter's night,
When daylight did appear;
He saw a ship sailing far off and far off,
Till at last it came sailing so near.
10. "Who's there, who's there," cried Captain Charles Stuart,
"'Who's there come sailing so nigh?"
"We are the Scotch robbers of merry Scotland;
Will you please for to let us pass by?"
11. "Oh, no, oh, no," cries Captain Charles Stuart,
"Oh, no, that never can be;
"Your ship and your cargo I'll take all away,
And your bodies I'll carry with me."
12. "Come on, come on," cries Andrew Batan,
"I value you not one pin;
If you can show fine brass without,
I can show you's fine steel within."
13. From broadside to broadside then at it they went;
So loud the cannons did roar,
Till Captain Charles Stuart took Andrew Batan
And carried him to old England's shore.