Lloyd Bateman- Sullivan (CA) 1940 recording Todd
[From LOC Recording; Voices from the Dust Bowl: The Charles L. Todd and Robert Sonkin Migrant Worker Collection at the Shafter FSA Camp, CA. Bronson's notes follow.
R. Matteson 2012, 2014]
YOUNG BEICHAN (Child No. 53)
[B. b2 C) "Lloyd Bateman" Sung by Mrs. Mary Sullivan at Shafter, California, 1940. Recorded by Charles L. Todd and Robert Sonkin.]
Notes by Bronson: This ballad, a counterpart with the roles reversed of the very early medieval romance of "Hind Horn," plays variations on a theme far-flung and favorite in the Middle Ages. Many heroes are said to have had comparable adventures in the East, and the legend has even been attached to the father of St. Thomas a Becket. The best forms of the ballad are eighteenth-century Scottish; but in the middle of the nineteenth century it was adopted into the repertory of the English music-hall as a comic Cockney song, where it had considerable vogue. Adorned with rough cuts by Cruikshank, it also circulated in print (1839). Hind Horn had a magic ring to tell him of danger, and in earlier form of Young Beichan, Bichan, Brechin, or Bekie, the Turkish Lady received supernatural warning of her lover's imminent defection; but in the nineteenth-century simple longing is sufficient motivation for her voyage, and luck guides her to the right destination. For the most part, the musical tradition so far as it is now known, is strong and relatively consistent, full of interest and grave charm.
Lloyd Bateman
1. There was a gentleman on the coast of Georgia
And he was a gentleman of a high degree
He never, never could rest contented
Till he had taken a voyage at sea.
2. He sailed east and he sailed west
He sailed till he caae to the Turkish shore
And there he was caught and put in prison,
No hopes of freedom any more.
3. This jailor had but an only daughter
As fair a one as ever you see
She stole the keys from her father's harbor
And says- Lloyd Bateman I'll set free.
4. Have you houses and have you land
And have you a living of high degree
That you would give to a fair young lady
If out of prison would set you free.
5. I have houses and I have land
And I have a living' of high degree
That I would give to a fair young lady
Who out of prison would set me free.
6. She taken him down to her father's cellar
And there she gave him wine so strong
And every drink she gave unto him
She wished Lloyd Bateman was her-own.
7. She taken him down to her father's harbor
And there she bargained a ship for him
Saying fare you well' to the land of living
I fear-I'll never see you again.
8. Seven long years I'll make this promise
Seven long years and herets my hand
If you will marry no other lady
It's I will marry no other man.
9. Seven long years and I'll make that promise
Seven long years and herets my hand
Its I'm to marry no other lady
And you're to marry no other man.
10. Seven long years had come and over
Seven long years one, two, and three
When she packed up her golden jewelry
And says Lloyd Bateman I'll go see.
11. She sailed till she came to Lloyd Bateman's castle
And there she knocked, she made it ring
Lloyd Bateman sent his porter running
To see who's there that would come in.
12. Is this, is this Lloyd Bateman's castle
And is Lloyd Bateman hisself within?
This is, this is Lloyd Bateman's castle
He just has brought his new bride in.
13. (Go) tell him to send ae a slice of bread
And a bottle of his wine so strong
And ask him if he re.embers the lady
That set him free from prison strong.
14. For seven long years I've been your porter
For seven long years, one, two, and three
And at your door stands the fairest lady
That ever my two eyes did see.
15. She wears a ring on her little finger
And on another one, two, and three
She wears more gold upon her clothing
Than to buy your bride and company.
16. She said for you to send her a slice of bread
And a bottle of your wine so strong
And to ask you if you remembered the lady
That set you free from prison strong.
17. Lloyd Bateman rose up from his table
And bursted into pieces of three
Saying fare you well to the land of living
That's my dear Susie's came to me.
18. It was today that I married your daughter
But she is none the worse off by me
She came here upon a horse and saddle
And shall go away in a coach of three.
19. Be taken her by her lily white hand
Be led her from hall to hall
Be changed her name from Susie Bates
Lloyd Bateman's wife's what she was called.