Lord Bateman- Mobley (KY) 1937/1943 recording Moser
[From Anglo-American Songs and Ballads; recorded by Moser in 1943. Bronson points out an earlier recording the "Argonaut pressing" in 1937 and in the 1937 version Mobley gives an additional stanza (6b in Bronson TTCB) which precedes stanza seven in this version. Another stanza after 6b was also left off - see footnote 2.
Not pointed out by anyone is the "chariots three" in stanza 13, which is found in Child B.
R. Matteson 2012, 2014]
A1 LORD BATEMAN.
Sung with guitar by Pleaz Mobley of Manchester, Ky, Recorded at Harrogate, Tenn" 1943, by Artus M. Moser Professor Child says in his monumental work that "Lord Bateman," or "Young Biehan" as it was called, is a "favorite ballad," and as it is sung here by Pieaz Mobley there is every reason to see why this is so, Unlike most of the English ballads with death, murder, unrequited love- "Lord Bateman" tells a story of adventure and ends happily for Lord Bateman and the Turkish lady, at least. The story of the ballad is very close to a legend told about Gilbert Hekct, the father of St. Thomas, but the ballad itself does not derive from the legend, having come into existence independently. Mobley's interpretation is an unusually fine one and in itself guarantees a full and continuing life to the song. For full references, see: Arthur Kyle Davis, Traditional Ballads of Virginia Harvard University Press, 1929), pp. 158, 71. I.
1. Lord Bateman was a noble lord,
He held himself of high degree,
He would not rest nor he contented
Until he voyaged across the sea.
2. He sailed east and he sailed westward,
Until he reached the Turkish shore,
And there they took him and put him in prison,
He never expected his freedom any more.
3. Now the Turk he had one only daughter,
As fair a maiden as eyes did see,
She stole the keys to her father's prison,
Saying, "Lord Bateman I'll set free."
4. "Have you got house, have you got land, sir,
Do you hold yourself of high degree,
What would you give the Turkish lady
If out of prison I'll set you free?"
5. "Well, I've got house and I've got land, love,
Half of Northumberland belongs to me,
I'll give it all to the Turkish lady
If out of prison you'll set me free."
6. She took him to her father's harbor
And gave to him a ship of fame,
"Farewell. farewell to thee, Lord Bateman,
I fear I'll never see you again."
[6b. "For six long years I'll make a vow, sir, [1]
Then seven more, 'bout thirty-three,
If you will marry no other maiden,
No other man will marry me."]
7. For seven long years she kept the vow true, [2]
Then even more, 'bout thirty-three, [3]
Then she gathered all her gay, fine clothing,
Saying, "Lord Bateman I'll go see."
8. She sailed east and she sailed westward
Until she reached the English shore.
And when she came to Lord Bateman's castle,
She alighted down before the door.
9. "Is this Lord Bateman's fine castle,
And is his Lordship here within?"
"Oh, yes, oh yes," cried the proud young porter,
"He's just taken his young bride in."
10. "What news, what news, my proud young porter,
What news, what news do you bring to me?"
"Oh, there's the fairest of all young ladies,
That ever my two eyes ever did see."
11. "She say's for you to send a slice of cake, sir,
And draw a glass of the strongest wine,
And not forget the proud young lady
That did release you when confined."
12 Lord Bateman rose from where he was sitting,
His face did look as white as snow.
Saying, "If this is the Turkish lady,
I'm bound with her love to go."
13. And then he spoke to the young bride's mother,
"She's none the better nor worse for me,
She came to me on horse and saddle.
I'll send her back in chariots three."
14, "She came to me on horse and saddle,
I'll send her back on a chariot free. [4]
And I'll go marry the Turkish lady
That crossed the roaring sea for me."
1. From the 1937 pressing.
2. In a stanza omitted by Pleaz Mobley, the Turkish lady and Lord Bateman had pledged their love together with toasts of strong wine.
3. "Then seven more. . ." ?
4. chariots three? I guess it was free too!