Lord Bateman- Floyd (SC) 1939 Recording; Lomax
[Recorded by Alan Lomax in two parts on his Southern recording trip in 1939. This version was published in Folk-Song in South Carolina by Joyner 1971 with music that's small and difficult to read. The lyrics in Folk-Song in South Carolina are wrong in several places.
R. Matteson- 2012]
LORD BATEMAN
As sung by Mrs. Minnie (or Emma) Floyd, at Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, June 8, 1939, recorded by John and Ruby Lomax. [Listen: Minnie Floyd]
– Part 1 –
In India lived a noble lord. His riches was beyond compare.
He was the darling of his parents, and of the estate the only heir.
He had gold and he had silver. He had a house of high degree.
He could never be contented until he crossed the roaring sea.
He sailed east and he sailed west. He sailed till he came to the Turkish shore.
They caught him there and put him in prison, where he could see the light no more.
For seven long months he laid in prison, laid in prison in iron bands.
Until he saw the rich young lady that set him free from his iron bands.
The jailer had one only daughter. She was a lady of high degree.
She went into the prison door, this Lord Bateman for to see.
She stoled her father's jailer key and said Lord Bateman she'd set free.
She went into the prison door and opened it with a key.
Have you gold or have you silver? Have you a house of high degree?
What would you give to a fair lady if she'd from bondage set you free?
I have gold and I have silver. I have a house of high degree.
I'll give it all to a fair lady, if she'll from bondage set me free.
It's not your gold nor your silver, nor your house of high degree.
All I want to make me happy, and all I'd take is your body.
Come then let us make a bargain. For seven long years it shall span.
If you won't wed no other woman, I won't wed no other man.
She stayed with her father till the time expired, till seven long years was at an end.
She packed up all her richest gold and says I'll go and see my friend.
She wandered east and she wandered west. She wandered till she came to the Indian shore.
She could never be contented until she seen her love once more.
She wandered till she came to Lord Bateman's palace and knocked so loud upon the rim.
There's none so ready to hear the fair lady, and this young porter let her in.
Tell me is this Lord Bateman's palace, and is the lord himself within?
Oh, yes, oh, yes, my pretty fair lady, and his new bride was just brought in.
– Part 2 – [Listen: Minnie Floyd]
Tell him to send me a loaf of bread and a bottle of his wine so strong
And ask if he's forgot the lady that set him free from his iron bands.
The porter ran in to his master, down, low down upon his knee.
Arise, arise you brisk young porter, and tell me what the matter is.
There stands a lady at your gate and she does weep most bitterly.
I know she is as fine a princess that I would wish mine eye to see.
She wants you to send her a loaf of bread and a bottle of your wine so strong
And ask if you forgot the lady that set you free from the iron bands.
He stomped his feet upon the floor, he broke his table in slivers three.
Adieu, adieu to my new wedded bride, This fair lady I'll go and see.
Then up spoke his new bride's mother. She was a lady of high degree.
Then you have married my only daughter. But she is none the worse for me.