Lord Bateman was a noble lord,
a noble lord of a high degree.
He could not rest, nor be contented,
till he had sailed to some far country.
So he sailed East, and he sailed Westward,
until he came to proud Turkey.
There he got caught and put in prison,
till of his life he grew most weary.
This Turk, he had one only daughter,
the fairest one that you ever did see.
She stole the keys to her father's prison, & declared Lord Bateman, she would
set free.
She's taken him down to the deepest cellar.
She's given to him a glass of wine.
She threw her loving little arms all around him,
and declared, "Lord Bateman, if you were
mine!"
They made a vow. They made a promise.
For seven long years, they made it to stand.
He vowed he'd marry no other woman,
She vowed she'd marry no other man.
Well seven long years have rolled around us,
seven years and it seemed like twenty nine.
She packed up all of her gay clothing,
and declared Lord Bateman she would go
find.
So she sailed East, and she sailed Westward,
until she came to England's shore.
She rode till she came to Lord Bateman's castle.
She summoned his porter right down to the
door.
"Oh, is this not Lord Bateman's castle?
And is his Lordship not within?"
"Oh yes, oh yes!" cried the proud young porter,
"He's just now bringing his new bride in!"
"Go bid him send me a slice of bread.
Go bid him send me a glass of wine.
And not to forget the Turkish lady
who freed him from his close confine."
"What news, my proud young porter,
what news do you bring to me?"
"There stands a woman outside your castle.
She's the fairest one that I ever did see!"
"She's got a gold ring on every finger,
and on one finger she has got three, with
enough gay gold wrapped around her middle,
as would buy Northumberland of thee!"
She bids you send her a slice of bread.
She bids you send her a glass of wine.
And not to forget the Turkish lady
who freed you from your close confine."
Then up and spoke that new bride's mother,
she never was known to speak so free, saying,
"What's to become of my only daughter,
who's just been made a bride to thee?"
"Well, I've done no harm to your only daughter.
She's none the better nor worse for me.
She came to me with a horse and saddle;
She shall go home with a coach and three."
Lord Bateman pounded his fist on the table.
He broke it in pieces, one, two, three!
He said, "I'll forsake all for the Turkish Lady!
She has crossed the old salt sea for me!"
He's taken her by her lily white hand, and
he led her down through the hall, and
he changed her name from "Pretty Nancy,"
and he has called her, "Noble Jane."
................................................................................
(These lyrics are based on a version learned from Jean Ritchie of the "Singing
Ritchies of Viper Kentucky," and a version learned from Chapel Wallin, Tateville,
Kentucky, with some minor alterations of my own.)