Verse 1:
Lord Bateman was a noble lord
A
A noble lord of high degree
G A E9
Imprisoned in some foreign country
G D/F# E
To spend his life in captivity
G A E9
He is a captain in the King's own Navy
G A9
He'd spent his life upon the cold grey sea
G A E9
What would he give now for a plate of meat and gravy
G D/F# E
Or for an angel to appear and set him free
G A E9
For seven years he lives on bread and dirty water
G A9
A single candle in his prison room for light
G A E9
Into the cell will walk the pretty jailer's daughter
G D/F# E
The cloak she's wearing is as black as any night
Verse 2:
G A E9
'What can you offer if you gain your freedom?
G A9
I'll lose my heart if I should ever set you free
G A E9
I have the keys if you'll deliver me a promise
G D/F# E
Should I release you, then you'll vow to marry me'
Verse 3:
G A E9
Beneath the city walls and down into the harbour
G A9
She'll throw his chains into the wine-dark sea
G A E9
They'll find a ship, but now his hand is forced to stay her
G D/F# E
'In truth, I never could have married thee'