I can never listen to this without welling. It's happening now . This is one of the most affecting love songs in the English folk song canon, but Chris' rendition takes it to another level; perfectly balancing astonishing sensuality with a deep respect for the tradition of the song itself. there are many reasons to love this man but this song, above all others encapsulates all of them,
The best 8 minute song ever and when Stairway to Heaven and Bohemian Rhapsody are next on my list that aint to bad, long may folk music dwell in our history.
People often ask what makes a great singer and this is a prime example of the best. Superb voice, excellent diction so all the words of the story are clearly delivered and a fab guitar backing that does not dominate or override the importance of telling the story. He is one of the best ever.
Chris originally performed this track on a trio album with Roger Wilson and Martin Carthy in 1998. This version is slower with a great guitar sound and his voice has grown more velvet with age. Superb sends me every time. Chris Wood is a genius please buy his albums
Lord Bateman was a noble lord, A noble lord of high degree. He put himself on board a ship Some foreign country he would go see. And he sailed East, and he sailed West, Till he came to proud Turkey, Where he was taken and put in prison, Until his life grew quite weary. In their prisons they grew a tree, Grew it stout and grew it strong, Then he was chained up all by the middle Until his life was almost gone. But Turkey had one only daughter, As fair a lady as ever did see. She shed her tear, she set her mind, She swore Lord Bateman she would go see. “Do you have land, do you have living, Does Northumberland belong to thee? What would you give to a brave young lady If out of prison she set you free?” “Oh I have land, land and I have living Half Northumberland belongs to me. And I'd give it all to a brave young lady If out of prison she would set me.” She stole the key from her fathers pillow, She poured Lord Bateman her fathers wine; And every health they drank together, “Oh I wish Lord Bateman you were mine.” She took him down to her father's harbour, She found for him the ship of fame, “Farewell, farewell, farewell Lord Bateman, I'm sure I'll never see your face again.” (BREAK) Seven long years were gone and past, From her heart she had not been free. She's packed up all of her gold and clothing And she swore Lord Bateman she would go see. When she came to London city She cried Lord Bateman through the town, And every stranger that did pass by her Did lead her on too Northumberland. “Oh, is this called Lord Bateman's castle? Is his lordship here within?” “Oh yes, oh yes,” cried the proud young porter, Pray tell what news I may give to him.” “Go tell him send me a cut of bread, And tell him send me a cup of wine, And to remember the brave young lady Who did release him when he was confined.” Away, away tore the proud young porter. Away, away, away went he. And he cried, “Lord Bateman, my lord and master I'm sure Sophia has crossed the sea.” “She has got rings, rings on every finger, Round her middle one she wears three. She has more gold all about her person For to buy Northumberland from under thee.” “She tells you send her a cut of bread She tells you send her a cup of wine, And to remember the brave young lady Who did release you when you were confined.” Lord Bateman then in silence fell From his heart he had not been free, “I'll give you all my Father's stable If my Sophia has crossed the sea.” Bateman then too his true love flew From their hearts they had not been free He's kissed her hand, he's kissed her cheek And neither man nor woman speak And never was love so complete Since brave Sophia has crossed the sea.
I was fortunate enough to open for Chris a couple of years ago. What a lesson in great performance and economy I was taught. Not many better folk artists than him around these days :)
Thanks for this Marc, its perfect simplicity. I've not heard of Chris Woods before, although I ought to, having loved Sandy Denny, and Fairport etc. I've just found this song following a radio 4 play broadcast today. Epic.
I can never listen to this without welling. It's happening now . This is one of the most affecting love songs in the English folk song canon, but Chris' rendition takes it to another level; perfectly balancing astonishing sensuality with a deep respect for the tradition of the song itself. there are many reasons to love this man but this song, above all others encapsulates all of them,
I totally know what you mean. It's very moving and hits you deep inside.
The best 8 minute song ever and when Stairway to Heaven and Bohemian Rhapsody are next on my list that aint to bad, long may folk music dwell in our history.
Thank you. A great version. This song should be called "The Bold Turkish Princess" or something like that. She's the hero of the story.
an entrancing singer and fiddler, and a peerless arranger and writer.
2023 still such a great song and equally great performance
A truly magical performance of a magical song
People often ask what makes a great singer and this is a prime example of the best. Superb voice, excellent diction so all the words of the story are clearly delivered and a fab guitar backing that does not dominate or override the importance of telling the story. He is one of the best ever.
Chris originally performed this track on a trio album with Roger Wilson and Martin Carthy in 1998. This version is slower with a great guitar sound and his voice has grown more velvet with age. Superb sends me every time. Chris Wood is a genius please buy his albums
Yes, I saw him perform it live as part of the album he did with Roger and Martin. It blew me away.
I have never listened to this without tears. Chris is simply magnificent and this is beyond beauty and sensuality. The best version by a mile.
Lord Bateman was a noble lord,
A noble lord of high degree.
He put himself on board a ship
Some foreign country he would go see.
And he sailed East, and he sailed West,
Till he came to proud Turkey,
Where he was taken and put in prison,
Until his life grew quite weary.
In their prisons they grew a tree,
Grew it stout and grew it strong,
Then he was chained up all by the middle
Until his life was almost gone.
But Turkey had one only daughter,
As fair a lady as ever did see.
She shed her tear, she set her mind,
She swore Lord Bateman she would go see.
“Do you have land, do you have living,
Does Northumberland belong to thee?
What would you give to a brave young lady
If out of prison she set you free?”
“Oh I have land, land and I have living
Half Northumberland belongs to me.
And I'd give it all to a brave young lady
If out of prison she would set me.”
She stole the key from her fathers pillow,
She poured Lord Bateman her fathers wine;
And every health they drank together,
“Oh I wish Lord Bateman you were mine.”
She took him down to her father's harbour,
She found for him the ship of fame,
“Farewell, farewell, farewell Lord Bateman,
I'm sure I'll never see your face again.”
(BREAK)
Seven long years were gone and past,
From her heart she had not been free.
She's packed up all of her gold and clothing
And she swore Lord Bateman she would go see.
When she came to London city
She cried Lord Bateman through the town,
And every stranger that did pass by her
Did lead her on too Northumberland.
“Oh, is this called Lord Bateman's castle?
Is his lordship here within?”
“Oh yes, oh yes,” cried the proud young porter,
Pray tell what news I may give to him.”
“Go tell him send me a cut of bread,
And tell him send me a cup of wine,
And to remember the brave young lady
Who did release him when he was confined.”
Away, away tore the proud young porter.
Away, away, away went he.
And he cried, “Lord Bateman, my lord and master
I'm sure Sophia has crossed the sea.”
“She has got rings, rings on every finger,
Round her middle one she wears three.
She has more gold all about her person
For to buy Northumberland from under thee.”
“She tells you send her a cut of bread
She tells you send her a cup of wine,
And to remember the brave young lady
Who did release you when you were confined.”
Lord Bateman then in silence fell
From his heart he had not been free,
“I'll give you all my Father's stable
If my Sophia has crossed the sea.”
Bateman then too his true love flew
From their hearts they had not been free
He's kissed her hand, he's kissed her cheek
And neither man nor woman speak
And never was love so complete
Since brave Sophia has crossed the sea.
I have seen him in concert too - one of my favourite musical treats I've ever had the pleasure to experience and he is very approachable and kind.
Best version EVER of Lord Bateman in my humble opinion. Thanks for the posting!
I was fortunate enough to open for Chris a couple of years ago. What a lesson in great performance and economy I was taught. Not many better folk artists than him around these days :)
My favourite version of this ballad. Just get lost in the tune, the singing, the guitar.....
awesome, inspiring, hypnotizing
Excellent
Thanks for this Marc, its perfect simplicity. I've not heard of Chris Woods before, although I ought to, having loved Sandy Denny, and Fairport etc.
I've just found this song following a radio 4 play broadcast today. Epic.
Wonderful setting of this song
I wish that I could talk to this man.
Songs for the Common Man. Thank you.
?!
Think you mean lil nas
Sublime
I only know about Chris cos of a comment on a Nic Jones video saying he was the only guitarist that could match him. What a goldmine!
Please, please, is he ever coming to the US? Just dreaming of it...
This is a great song. I wonder who the Lord Bateman in it actually was? I'm gonna Google it! ☺️
Dark and typically Woody, but I still prefer Jim Moray's version.
Thank you for introducing me to Jim Moray. Incredible musician.
Peerless.