Lord Bateman was a noble lord
A noble lord of some high degree
He shipped himself on board a ship
Some foreign count-e-ries he would go see

He sail-ed east, and he sail-ed west
Until he came to p-roud Turkey
Where he was taken and put in prison
Until his life it-e-grew quite weary

And in this prison there grew a tree
It grew so large and it grew so strong
Where he was chain-ed around the middle
Until his life it-e-was almost gone

His jailer had but one only daughter
The fairest creature my two eyes did see
She stole the keys of her father's prison
And said Lord Bateman she would set free

Now have you houses have you got land
And does Northumberland belong to thee?
And what would you give to the fair young lady
That out of prison would set you free?

Yes I've got houses and I've got land
And half Northumberland belongs to me
I would give it all to that fair young lady
That out of prison would set me free.

She took him to her marble parlor,
She gave him cake and a bottle of wine,
And every health that she drank unto him,
I wish, Lord Bateman, that you were mine.

And it's seven long years I'll make a vow,
And seven long years I will keep it strong,
If you will wed with no other woman,
Then I'll not wed with no other man.

She took him to her father's harbor,
She gave to him a ship of fame,
Farewell and adieu to you, Lord Bateman,
I fear I'll never see you again.

Now the seven long years were past and gone,
And fourteen days, well-known to me,
She set her foot all in a ship,
And said Lord Bateman she would go see.

And when she's come to Lord Bateman's castle,
She knocked so loudly upon the pin,
And who should come down but the proud young porter,
To rise and let this fair lady in.

Is this here Lord Bateman's castle,
And is Lord Bateman here within?
Oh yes, oh yes, said the proud young porter,
He's just now taken his new bride in.

Tell him to bring me a loaf of bread,
A bottle of the very best wine,
And not to forget the fair young lady
As did release him when close confined.

What news, what news, my proud young porter?
What news, what news? Now, tell to me.
There is the fairest of all young ladies
As ever my two eyes did see.

She bid you send her a loaf of bread,
A bottle of the very best wine,
And not to forget the fair young lady
As did release you when close confined.

Lord Bateman he flew in a passion,
He broke the table in splinters three,
I'll wager all my father's lands and riches
That my Sophia has come from sea.

Then up and spoke the young bride's mother,
Who never was known to speak so free,
What will you do for my only daughter,
If your Sophia has come from sea?

I own I wed your only daughter,
She's neither the better nor the worse for me,
She came to me on a horse and saddle,
She shall ride home in a carriage and three.

Then he's prepared another wedding,
And both their hearts so full of glee,
Oh, never more will I sail the ocean,
Now my Sophia has come to me.