Lyrics of 'Lord Bateman' by John Wesley Harding

Lord Bateman was a noble lord,
A noble lord of high degree.
And he shipped himself on board a ship,
Some foreign country he would go see.

He sailed East, he sailed West,
Until he came to proud Turkey.
Where he was taken and put in prison,
Till his life was quite weary

And through his shoulders they put a bore
And through each bore, they put a tree
And made him draw the carts of wine
Where horse and oxen were wont to be

The Turk he had one only daughter,
The fairest lady you ever did see
She stole the keys of her father's prison,
And said Lord Bateman she would set free.

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 out of prison would set you free?

Oh I've got houses and I've got lands,
And half Northumberland belongs to me;
And I'd give it all to the fair young lady,
As would release me and set me free.

She's taken him to her father's hall
And given to him a glass of wine.
And ev'ry health that she drank to him:
Was I wish, Lord Bateman, that you were mine.

For 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 no other man.

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'll never see you again.

Seven long years were up and past
Seven long years, well known to me
She's packed up all of her gay clothing,
And said Lord Bateman she would go see.

And when she's come to Bateman's castle,
So loudly then she rang the bell.
Who's there? Who's there? cried the proud young porter
Who is there, come to me tell.

Isn't this Lord Bateman's castle?
And is Lord Bateman here within?
O yes! O yes! cried the proud young porter
He's just now taken his new bride in.

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.

Away, away went the young proud young porter,
Away, away and away went he,
And when he's come to Bateman's chamber,
Then down he fell on bended knees.

What news, what news, you proud young porter
What news, what news, have you brought me?
There is the fairest of fine young ladies
That ever my own two eyes did see.

She has a ring on every finger
And on one finger she has three
There is more gold sparkling on her brow
Than ever my own two eyes did see

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.

Bateman rose all in a passion
He broke his sword in splinters three (alt)
I'll give up all of my father's land
If my Sophia has come to me

Quickly he ran down the steps
Of fifteen steps he made but three (alt)
He's taken her into his arms
And he kissed her tenderly

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 crossed the sea.

I own I wed your only daughter;
She's neither the better nor worse for me.
She came to me on a horse and saddle;
But she'll go home in a carriage and three.

Bateman prepared another wedding,
With all their hearts so full of glee.
O never more will I cross the ocean
Now my Sophia has come to me