Lord Bateman- Murphy (NL) 1929 Karpeles B
[From Karpeles; Folk Songs from Newfoundland, 1934. This has one of the best descriptions of the "hole in the shoulder" through which a piece of wood (cattle-draught) was inserted so that the slave could be used to haul loads.
R. Matteson 2014]
B. Lord Bateman- Sung by Miss Joanna Murphy at Kit Hughes, Conception Harbour, 22nd October, 1929.
As they steered East, as they steered West,
We steered to proud Turkey shore,
Where he was taken and put in prison
Till he could hear or see no more.
They bored a hole in his left shoulder,
And in the hole they planted a tree.
They had him chained all by the middle
Until his life was quite weary.
The Turkish king had one only daughter,
One only daughter of a high degree,
She stole the keys of her father's treasure,
And said Lord Bateman she would set free.
Where she went down in her father's cellar,
Dipped up a jug of the clearest wine,
And every health they drank to each other,
Saying, I wish, Lord Bateman, that you were mine.
Seven years they made a vow,
Seven more on it to stand.
He said he'd wed no other lady
Till Susie [Sophie] Hines had wed a man.
And seven years being nearly ended,
And seven more it's going three,
When she packed up all her rich, gay clothing,
And said Lord Bateman she would go see.
She went down on her father's quay,
She hired a ship, a ship of fame,
As she packed up all her rich gay clothing,
And said Lord Bateman she would go see.
O when she came to Lord Bateman,s castle,
Rapped so boldly at the ring.
Who's there, who's there? cries the young proud porter,
Rap so boldly, but can't come in.
Is this Lord Bateman's castle? she cries,
Or is the lord himself within?
O yes, O yes, cries the young proud porter,
This very day brought a young bride in.
Away, away goes the young proud porter,
As fast as lightning away goes he,
Until he came to Lord Bateman's chamber,
Down on his bended knees he fell.
O seven years, my lord, I have served, you,
Seven more it's going and three,
The fairest lady stands at your castle
That ever my two eyes have seen.
She has gold rings on every finger,
And on her middle one she has three,
She got more gold clothing around her middle
Would Lord Bateman and your castle free.
She told you to send one cut of your bread
And a bottle of Your wine so strong,
And not to forget that young fair lady
That set you free from your iron bands.
He stamped his feet all on the plancheon,
And he bent the table in splinters three,
I'm going to forsake my wedded wife,
Since Sophie Hines has crossed the sea.
Then up speaks this young bride's mother,
These very word's to him did say
Are you going to forsake your wedded wife,
Since Sophie Hines has crossed the sea?
Your daughter she is but tall and handsome,
She is well featured in every degree,
She came to me in a horse and saddle,
She will go home in a coach and three.