Lord Bateman from Outsiders by Chris Foster

Lord Bateman was a noble youth
A noble youth of some high degree
He shipped himself on board a vessel
Some foreign country he would go see

He sailed east and he sailed west
until he came to proud Turkey
Where he was taken and put in prison
Until his life it grew quite weary

And in the middle of this prison
There grew a tree both stout and strong
Where he was chained all about his middle
Until his life it was nearly gone

The Turkish gaoler he had a daughter
The fairest creature you ever did see
She stole the keys to her father’s prison
And swore Lord Bateman she would set free

“Have you got silver, and have you got gold?
Have you got lands in your own country?
What would you give to a bold young woman
Who out of prison would set you free?”

“Yes I’ve got silver and I’ve got gold
And I’ve got lands in my own country
And I’d give them all to any woman
Who out of prison would set me free.”

She took him to her father’s cellar
And she gave to him a glass of wine
And every health that she drank to him
Was “I wish, Lord Bateman that you were mine.”

“For seven years we will make a promise
And for seven years we will keep it strong
That if you wed with no other woman
Then I’ll not marry with no other man.”

Then she took him to her father’s harbour
And gave to him a ship of fame
Saying “Fare thee well, farewell Lord Bateman
I fear I’ll never see your face again.”

Now seven years were passed and over
And forty days I tell to thee
When she packed up all her gay gold clothing
And to find Lord Bateman then she put to sea.

And when she came to Lord Bateman’s castle
So boldly then she rang the bell
“Who’s there, who’s there?” cried the proud young porter
“Who rings so boldly, come quickly tell?”
She said “Is this Lord Bateman’s castle?
And is his lordship now within?”
“O yes, this is Lord Bateman’s castle
And he’s just taken his new bride in.”

“Go and bid him send me a slice of cake
And a bottle of his best red wine
And bid him remember the bold young woman
Who did release him when he was confined.”

Away then went that proud young porter
And quickly to his lord went he
And when he came to Lord Bateman’s chamber
There he went down on his bended knee

“What news, what news, O my proud young porter?
What news, what news do you bring to me?”
“Well there is one of the fairest women
That ever my two eyes did see

And she’s got golden rings on every finger
And on her middle one she has got three
There’s enough gold lace all about her clothing
To buy your castle and your lands from thee.”

“And she bids you send her a slice of cake
And a bottle of your best red wine
She bids you remember the brave young woman
Who did release you when you were confined.”

Now when Lord Bateman he heard this news
He smashed his sword in splinters three
He said “I’ll give away all of my father’s riches
If my Sophia has crossed the sea.”

Then up and spoke the young bride’s mother
She had never been heard to speak so free
“You’ll not disgrace my only daughter
Although Sophia has crossed the sea.”

Then Lord Bateman said to the young bride’s mother
She'll be none the better nor the worse for me
She came to me on a horse and saddle
Now she’ll ride home in a coach and three.”

Then he prepared another wedding
And both their hearts were full of glee
He said “I’ll roam no more into foreign countries
Since my Sophia has come to me.”

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