Lord Bateman
Lord Bakeman was a noble lord,
A noble lord of high agree;
He paid his passage to a foreign nation,
Saying strange countries he’d go and see. As sung by Danny Brazil, Gloucester 6 May 1966 (Springthyme 66.4.29). Also recorded from Lemmy Brazil, Gloucester 29 September 1967 (Springthyme 67.6.30). In: Shepheard, Peter. Folk Songs and Ballads of the Brazil Family of Gloucester (1967).
| Lord Bakeman was a noble lord, A noble lord of high agree; He paid his passage to a foreign nation, Saying strange countries he’d go and see. He sailèd East and he sailèd West, Until he came to proud Turkey; There he was taken and put in prison, Till his poor life it was almost done in. Now in this prison there grew a tree, It grew so stout and it grew so strong; There he was chainèd all round his middle, Till his poor life it was almost gone. The turnkey had but one only daughter, The finest lady you ever saw; She stole the keys of her father’s prison, Saying Lord Bateman she’d go and see. “Are you, are you Lord Bakeman? Or are you any high agree? “Or what would you give to a fair young lady, If out of prison she’d set you free?” “Oh yes, oh yes I am Lord Bakeman, And I am in a high agree; I have houses an’ I have lands, Part of Northumberland belongs to me; I would give it all to a fair young maiden, If it’s out of prison she’d set me free.” She took him to her father’s parlours, She give him a glass all of the best of wine, And every health that he drunk unto him, Saying, “I wish Lord Bakeman that you were mine.” “Now seven long years we will make a vow, And seven long days to remember strong, If you don’t wed to no other woman, For its I won’t wed to no other man.” The seven long year it being gone and past, The seven long days to remember strong; This fair maid she pickèd up her clothing Saying Lord Bakeman she’d go and find. Now she sailèd East and she sailèd West, Until she came to Northumberland, There she saw one of the finest castles, That ever her two eyes did see. |
Now when she same to Lord Bateman’s castle, She boldlye ringèd all at the bell; There was none so ready but that young proud porter, To answer that gay lady at the door. “Is this Lord Bakeman’s castle? Or is it any high agree?” “Oh yes this is Lord Bakeman’s castle, And he’s just now after taking his bride in.” “Tell him send me a slice of his best of cake, And a glass all of his best of wine, And he’s not to forget a fair young lady, That onct releasèd him from close confine.” Away, away run the young proud porter, Away, away, away run he, Until he came to Lord Bakeman’s chamber, Down on his bended knee he fell. “What news, what news my young proud porter, What news, what news come tell to me.” “For here is one of the finest ladies, That ever my two eyes did see.” “She’s got rings on every finger, If she’s got one, for she have got ten; She’s got enough gay gold hingin round her middle, That would buy poor Northumberland all out free.” “You’re to send her a slice of your best o cake, An’ a glass all of your best o wine; And you’re not to forget that fair young lady, That once releasèd you from close confine.” Lord Bakeman he flew in a passion, His sword he splintered up in three “I’d rather have her than ten hundred guineas, My proud young Susan she’s across the sea.” For up spoke the young bride’s mother, Never known to speak so loud before; “What will you do with my only daughter, Since Sophia’s across the sea?” “I’ll own I’ve made a bride of your daughter, She’s none the better and the worse for me; For she came to me on her horse and saddle, And she may go back in a coach and three.” |
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