A gentleman of the courts of England, A gentleman of high degree,

voiceCollected & Transcribed by M. C. Parler Reel 179 Item 1 Mrs. Miner Griffin Conway, Arkansas December 12, 1953 Lord Bateman A gentleman of the courts of England, A gentleman of high degree, Grew uneasy, discontented, And went his way across the sea. He sailed east and he sailed west, He sailed to the Turkish shore, And there was caught and put in prison, No hopes of freedom anymore. Now this king had a lovely daughter, The prettiest creature eyes did see, She stole the keys of her father's prison, Saying, Lord Bateman she would set free. She led him to her father's cellar, And there drew cups of Port wine, And every health they drank together, Was, Oh Lord Bateman, I wish you were mine. For seven long years......... For seven long years he made a vow, That he was to wed no other woman, Unless she married some other man. Seven long years had passed and over, Seven long years and two and three, 'Til she gathered up her gold and diamonds, And went her way across the sea. At length she arrived at Lord Bateman's castle, So boldly there, she rang the bell, Is this, is this Lord Bateman's castle, And is your Lordship here within? Oh yes, yes, yes, cried the bold proud porter, He has just this day brought his new bride in. Go tell him that I want to see him, Tell him to remember me, And never to forget the lady, That freed him of his jailery. Lord Bateman (cont.) Reel 179 Lord Bateman in a passion flew, He broke his sword in splinters three, Saying, he would wed no other woman, If Sopha had come across the sea. Then up, up spoke the young bride's mother, Who was never known to speak so free, Saying you must not forget my only daughter, If Sopha has come across the sea. But she is none the worse by me, She rode here on a horse and saddle, She may return in a coach and three, She rode here on a horse and saddle, She may return in a coach and three.Funding for digitization provided by the Arkansas Humanities Council and the Happy Hollow Foundation