Andrew Batan

Cat. #0273 (MFH #6) - As sung by George Lay, Heber Springs, Arkansas on November 5, 1958

VERSE 1
There were three brothers, in ole Scotland
Three merry ones were they
And they casted lots to see which of them
Would go robbing all o'er th salt sea

VERSE 2
The cast, it fell, on Andrew Batan
Th youngest of th three
That he should go robbing all o'er th salt sea
To maintain his two brothers an' he

VERSE 3
He scarce had sailed, one cold winters night
When a ship, he did aspie
A ship that went sailing far off and far round
Till a last it came sailing close by

VERSE 4
Who's there, who's there, said Andrew Batan
Who's there, I do aspie
We are the bold merchants from ole Engerlund
Won't you please sir, to let us pass by

VERSE 5
O no, O no, said Andrew Batan
Such a thing is that never could be
We'll take away all of your bright shining gold
Let your merry men drown in th sea

VERSE 6
T'was there, th battle begun
T'was there, th loud cannon did roar
And they scarce had fought an hour or more
Till, Captain Charles Stewart gave o'er

VERSE 7
Th news went back to ole Engerlund
King George, he wore th crown
And he offered up a large sum of gold
If Andrew Batan could be found

VERSE 8
Go build a boat, said Captain Charles Thomas
Go build it broad an' sure
And if I don't bring to you Andrew Batan
No longer my life will endure

VERSE 9
He scarce had sailed, one cold winters night
When a ship, he did aspie
A ship that went sailing for off an' far round
Till at last it came sailing close by

VERSE 10
Who's there, who's there, said Captain Charles Thomas
Who's there, I do aspie
We are th bold robbers from merry Scotland
Will you please sir, to let us pass by

VERSE 11
O no, O no, said Captain Charles Thomas
Sech a thing as that never could be
We'll take away all of your bright shining gold
Let your wicked men drown in th sea

VERSE 12
Fire on, fire on, said Andrew Batan
We don't fear you one pin
Sure, if you have all of your bright steel without
Sure, we have th bright steel within

VERSE 13
T'was there, th battle begun
T'was there, th loud cannon did roar
And they scarce had fought an hour or more
Till Captain Charles Thomas gave o'er

VERSE 14
Go back, go back, to ole Engerlund
And tell your king, of me
That he may remain king o'er th dry land
But, I'll remain king o'er th sea

George was a student at the University of Arkansas and he said, he learned this song from his Grandfather.