This Turk he had one only daughter,
The fairest creature my eyes did see;
She stole the keys of her father’s prison,
And swore Lord Bateman she would set free.
‘Have you got houses? have you got lands?
Or does Northumberland belong to thee?
What would you give to the fair young lady
That out of prison would set you free?’
‘I have got houses, I have got lands,
And half Northumberland belongs to me
I’ll give it all to the fair young lady
That out of prison would set me free.’
O! then she took him to her father’s hall,
And gave to him the best of wine;
And every health she drank unto him,
‘I wish, Lord Bateman, that you were mine!
‘Now in seven years I’ll make a vow,
And seven years I’ll keep it strong,
If you’ll wed with no other woman,
I will wed with no other man.’
O! then she took him to her father’s harbour,
And gave to him a ship of fame;
‘Farewell, farewell to you, Lord Bateman,
I’m afraid I ne’er shall see you again.’
Now seven long years are gone and past,
And fourteen days, well known to thee;
She packed up all her gay clothing,
And swore Lord Bateman she would go see.
But when she came to Lord Bateman’s castle,
So boldly she rang the bell;
‘Who’s there? who’s there?’ cried the proud portèr,
‘Who’s there? unto me come tell.’
‘O! is this Lord Bateman’s castle?
Or is his Lordship here within?’
‘O, yes! O, yes!’ cried the young portèr,
‘He’s just now taken his new bride in.’
‘O! tell him to send me a slice of bread,
And a bottle of the best wine;
And not forgetting the fair young lady
Who did release him when close confine.’