Classic Poem

Lord Bateman was a noble lord,
A noble lord of high degree,
He shipped himself on board a ship,
Some foreign countries to go and see.

He sailèd east, he sailèd west,
He sailèd into proud Turkey,
Where he was taken and put in prison
Until he of life was quite weary.

And in this prison there growed a tree,
It growed so stout, it growed so strong.
He was chained up all by the middle,
Until his life was almost done.

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

"Have you got lands, have you got livings,
Or dost Northumberland belong to thee?
What will you give to a fair young lady
If out of prison she'll set you free?'

"Yes, I've got lands and I've got livings
And half Northumberland belongs to me,
And I'll give it all to a fair young lady
If out of prison she will set me free.'

She took him to her father's cellar
And give to him the best of wine,
And every health that she drinked unto him:
"I wish, Lord Bateman, that you were mine.

"Seven long years we will make a vow,
And seven long years we will keep it strong:
If you will wed with no other woman,
I will never wed with no other man.'

She took him to her father's harbour
And give to him a ship of fame.
"Farewell, farewell to you, Lord Bateman,
I'm afraid I never shall see you again.'

Now seven long years is a-gone and past,
And fourteen days well known to me.
She packed up all her gay clothing
And swore Lord Bateman she'd go and see.

And when she came to Lord Bateman's castle
So boldly how she did ring the bell.
"Who's there, who's there?' cried the proud young porter,
"Who's there, who's there? come quickly tell.'

"Oh is this called Lord Bateman's castle,
Oh is his lordship here within?'
"Oh yes, oh yes,' cries the proud young porter,
"He has just now taken his young bride in.'

"You tell him to send me a slice of bread
And a bottle of the best of the wine,
And not forgetting that fair young lady
That did release him when he was close confined.'

Away, away went this proud young porter,
Away, away, away went he,
Until he came to Lord Bateman's chamber,
Down on his bended knees he fell.

"What news, what news, my proud young porter,
What news, what news has thou brought to me?'
"There is the fairest of all young ladies
That ever my two eyes did see.

"She has got rings on every finger,
Round one of them she have got three.
She have gold enough around her middle
To buy Northumberland that belongs to thee.

"She tells you to send her a slice of bread
And a bottle of the best of wine
And not forgetting that fair young lady
That did release you when you were close confined.'

Lord Bateman then in a passion flew,
He broke his sword in splinters three,
Saying, "I will give you all my father's riches
And if Sophia have a-crossed the sea.'

Oh then up spoke this young bride's mother
Who was never heard to speak so free,
Saying, "You'll not forget my only daughter
For if Sophia have a-crossed the sea.'

"I only made a bride of your daughter,
She's neither the better nor worse for me.
She came to me on a horse and saddle,
She may go back in a coach and three.'

Lord Bateman prepared for another marriage,
So both their hearts so full of glee.
"I will range no more to foreign countries
Now since Sophia have a-crossed the sea.'