Traditional
Lord Bateman
[Verse 1]
Lord Bateman was a noble lord
A noble lord of high degree
And he shipped himself on board of a sailing ship
Some foreign lands he would go and see

[Verse 2]
He sailed east, and he sailed west
Until he came to proud Turkey
And he was taken and put into prison
Until his life was quite weary

[Verse 3]
The Turkman had one only daughter
The fairest lady me eyes did see
And she's stolen the keys of her father's prison
And said Lord Bateman she would set free

[Verse 4]
"Have you got houses, have you got lands?
And does Northumberland belong to thee?
And what would you give to the fair young lady
As would release you and set you free?"

[Verse 5]
"Oh, I've got houses and I've got lands
And half Northumberland belongs to me
And I'd grant it all to the fair young lady
As would release me and set me free"
[Verse 6]
She's taken him to her father's hall
And given to him a glass of wine
And every health that she drank unto him was
"I wish, Lord Bateman, that you were mine"

[Verse 7]
Seven long years I'll make a vow
And seven long years I'll keep it strong
If you will wed with no other lady
Then I will wed with no other man"

[Verse 8]
And she's taken him to her father's harbour
And given to him a ship of fame
"Farewell, farewell to you, Lord Bateman
I fear I never shall see you again"

[Verse 9]
Seven long years were up and past
These seven long years as I tell to thee
And she's packed up all of her gay clothing
And said Lord Bateman she would go see

[Verse 10]
When she's come to Bateman's castle
So boldly then she did ring the bell
"Who's there? Who's there?" cries the proud young porter
"Who is there, come to me tell"
[Verse 11]
"Isn't this here Lord Bateman's castle?
And is Lord Bateman here within?"
"O yes! O yes!" cries the proud young porter
"He's just now taken his new bride in"

[Verse 12]
"Tell him to bring me a slice of bread
And bring a bottle of the very best wine
And not to forget the fair young lady
That did release him when close confined"

[Verse 13]
Away and away went the young proud porter
Away and away and away went he
And when he's come to Bateman's chamber
Down he fell upon bended knee

[Verse 14]
"What news, what news," says Lord Bateman
"What news have you now brought to me?"
"There is the fairest of fine young ladies
Ever my own two eyes did see"

[Verse 15]
"She bids you bring her a slice of bread
And bring a bottle of the very best wine
And not to forget the fair young lady
That did release you when close confined"
[Verse 16]
Bateman arose all in a passion
He's broken his sword into splinters three
"O, I'd have give up all my father's riches
If my Sophia has come the sea"

[Verse 17]
But then up spoke the young bride's mother
Who never was heard to speak so free
"What will you give to my only daughter
If your Sophia has come from sea?"

[Verse 18]
"I own I wed your only daughter
She's neither the better nor the worse for me
And she came to me on a horse and saddle
She'll go home in a carriage and three"

[Verse 19]
Bateman's prepared another wedding
With both their hearts so full of glee
"O never more will I range the ocean
Now my Sophia has come from sea"