Lord Akeman- Holloway (King's Cove NL) 1929
[From Karpeles; Folks Songs from Newfoundland, 1934.
R. Matteson 2012, 2014]
A. Lord Akeman- Sung by William Holloway at King's Cove, Bonavista Bay, NL; September 25, 1929.
1. Lord Akeman was a noble lord,
A noble lord of high degree;
He shipped himself on board a vessel
Foreign countries for to go see.
2. He sailed East and he sailed West
Until he came to proud Turkey.
'Twas there he was taken and put in prison
Until his life was most weary.
3. By the side of the prison there grew a tree,
It grew so mighty, stout and long.
He was tied to that right round his middle
Until his life was almost gone.
4. The gaoler had one only daughter,
One of the fairest creatures I have ever seen.
She stole the keys of her father's prison,
And said Lord Akeman she would set free.
5. Have you got houses, or have you got land?
Or is any of Northumberland belongs to thee?
What would you give to any fair maiden
Who from this prison would set you free?
6. Yes, I've got houses and I've got land,
And half Northumberland belongs to me.
I would give it all to any lady
Who from this prison would set me free.
7. Seven long years they made a promise,
And fourteen days he kept it strong:
If you don't wed with no other woman,
Sure I won't wed with no other man.
8. O seven long years have passed and over,
And fourteen days being well known to her,
She packed up her mosky clothing,
And she said Lord Akeman she'd go to see.
9. And when she sees Lord Akeman's castle
So merrily she rang the bell.
Who's there, who's there? asked the proud young porter,
I pray now unto me tell.
10. Is Lord Akeman within? she says,
Or is her ladyship within that hall?
O yes, O yes, says the proud young porter,
It's just after bringing a young bride in.
11. Go tell him to send me a slice of his best bread,
And a bottle of his best wine,
And not to forget the fair young maiden
Who released him from his close confine.
12. Away, away ran the proud young porter,
Down on his knees he fell to pray,
Saying: I have seen one of the fairest creatures
That ever my eyes would wish to see.
13. On every finger she has rings,
And on one of them she has got three,
And the golden robes around her middle,
I know Northumberland belongs to she.
14. Lord Akeman rose then in a passion
And threw his sword in pieces three,
Saying : I'll go no more to foreign countries,
Since young Sophia have a-crossed, the sea.
15. Then up speaks the young bride's mother,
Who was never known to speak so free,
Saying: Are you going to leave my daughter
Since young Sophia have a-crossed the sea?
16. I own my bride I made out of your daughter,
It's neither the better nor the worse for thee.
She came to me in a horse and saddle
And I'll send her home in a coach and three.