English Songs

Lord Bateman - Chords, Lyrics and Origins

Origins

Lord Bateman is a traditional Child ballad from England. It tells the story of an English nobleman who is set free from imprisonment in Turkey by his captor's beautiful daughter. She follows him home to England, where, almost impossibly, they are reunited and, one supposes, live happily ever after.

The song may have its roots in the true story of Gilbert Becket, the father of saint Thomas à Becket. Gilbert was a twelth century crusader who travelled to the holy land, was imprisoned, and - so the story goes - set free by the daughter of his captor. There is more information about Lord Bateman's origins, and how it may relate to Gilbert Becket's story, here at Mudcat.

Notable versions of Lord Bateman have been recorded by Nic Jones, Chris Wood and others.

Chords

Em C    Em
Lord Bateman was a noble lord,

              A                   B
A noble lord of high degree,

                                   A                        Em
And he shipped himself on board a sailing ship,

                         Bm         D                      Em
Some foreign lands he would go and see.

Em    C          Em
He sailed East, and he sailed West,

               A                             B
Until he came to proud Turkey.

                     A                               Em
And he was taken and put into prison,

               Bm         D            Em
Until his life was quite weary.

My version of Lord Bateman uses major and minor chords, whereas many of the versions you will hear are somewhat more 'modal' (an effect you can achieve by missing out the third note in each chord - for example, missing out the 'G' in an E chord or the 'C' in an A chord). You can play with the chords to find an arrangement you like. For example, you could start with a modal E, and you could replace the C chord in the first line with either a modal A or an A minor.

Lyrics

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

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.

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.

"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?"

"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."

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."

"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 never shall see you again.

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.

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."

"Isn't this here 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 off bread,
And bring a bottle of the very best of wine;
And not to forget the fair young lady
That did release him when close confined."

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

"What news, what news," says Lord Bateman
"What news have you now brought to me?"
"There is the fairest of fine young ladies
That 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
As did release you when close confined."

Bateman arose all in a passion;
He's broken his sword in splinters three;
"O I'd have give up all of my father's riches
If my Sophia have a-crossed the sea."

O then up spoke the young bride's mother,
Who was never heard to speak so free:
"What will you give to my only daughter,
If but Sophia has come from 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;
She'll go home in a carriage and three."

Bateman's prepared another wedding,
With all their hearts so full of glee.
"O never more will I range the ocean,
Now my Sophia's come from sea."