Lord Batesman- Glasscock (WV) 1957 Musick A
[From: Ballads and Folksongs from West Virginia by Ruth Ann Musick; The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 70, No. 277 (Jul. - Sep., 1957), pp. 247-261.
R. Matteson 2012, 2014]
5. "Lord Batesman" (Young Beichan, Child 5)
5.1. Contributed by Mrs. Glasscock (see Ex. 7)
(1) There was a jailor, he had one daughter,
She was a lady of high degree;
She stole the keys from her father's prison,
Saying, "Lord Batesman, I'll set you free."
(2) "It's you have gold and you have silver,
And you have houses of high degree;
It's which of these will you give to this lady,
If she from bondage will set you free?"
(3) "Yes, I have gold and I have silver,
And I have houses of high degree;
It's all of these will I give to this lady,
If she from bondage will set me free."
(4) "Oh, well," says she, "we'll make a bargain,
For seven long years it's for to stand;
It's you're to marry no other woman,
And I will wed no other man."
(5) After seven long years had passed and gone,
And seven long years came to an end;
She gathered up her richest clothing,
Saying, "I'll go and I'll seek my friend."
(6) She inquired for Lord Batesman's palace
On every corner of the street;
She inquired for Lord Batesman's palace
From all of whom she had chance to meet.
(7) And when she came to Lord Batesman's palace,
She rang so loud upon the ring;
There was none so ready as the brisk young porter
To go and let this fair lady in.
(8) "Oh, Sir, is this Lord Batesman's palace?
And is the Lord himself within?"
"Oh yes, this is Lord Batesman's palace;
Him and his bride have just came in."
(9) She wrang her hands, she tore her hair, saying,
"Alas, alas, I am undone;
I wish I was back to my native country,
Across the sea, there to remain."
(10) "Go tell him to send me one ounce of bread
And a bottle of his wine so strong;
And ask him if he's forgot the lady
That set him free from the iron chain."
(11) The porter ran unto his master,
And bowing low upon his knee;
"Arise, arise, my brisk young porter,
And tell us what the trouble be."
(12) "Oh, Sir, there's a lady at your gate,
And she doth weep most bitterly;
I think she is the fairest creature
That ever my eyes had chance to see."
(13) "She has more rings upon her fingers,
Around her waist is a diamond chain;
She has more gold upon her clothing
Than your new bride and all her kin."
(14) "She wants you to send her one ounce of bread
And a bottle of your wine so strong;
And asks you if you've forgot the lady
That set you free from the iron chain."
(15) He stomped his foot upon the floor;
He broke the table in pieces three,
Saying, "Adieu, adieu to my wedded bride;
A second wedding there shall be."
(16) Then up bespake the first bride's mother,
And she was a lady of high degree;
"Oh, Sir, you've married my only daughter!"
"Well, she is none the worse of me."
(17) "Your daughter came on horse and saddle;
She shall go back in a coach and three;
For since my fair one has arrived,
A second wedding there shall be."
(18) He took her by her lily-white hand;
He led her o'er the marble floors;
He changed her name from Susannah Fair,
And now she's the wife of Lord Batesman.
(19) He took her by the lily-white hand;
He led her through from room to room;
He changed her name from Susannah Fair,
And now she's the wife of Lord Batesman.