Matty Groves

Lyrics

[Verse 1] A holiday, a holiday And the first one of the year Lord Darnell's wife came into the church The gospel for to hear [Verse 2] And when the meeting it was done She cast her eyes about And there she saw little Matty Groves Walking in the crowd [Verse 3] "Come home with me, little Matty Groves Come home with me tonight Come home with me, little Matty Groves And sleep with me till light" [Verse 4] "Oh, I can't come home, I won't come home And sleep with you tonight By the rings on your fingers I can tell You are Lord Darnell's wife" [Verse 5] "What if I am Lord Darnell's wife? Lord Darnell's not at home Well, he is out in the far cornfields Bringing the yearlings home" [Verse 6] And a servant who was standing by And hearing what was said He swore Lord Darnell he would know Before the sun would set [Verse 7] And in his hurry to carry the news He bent his breast and ran And when he came to the broad millstream He took off his shoes and swam [Verse 8] Little Matty Groves, he lay down Took a little sleep When he awoke, Lord Darnell Was standing at his feet [Verse 9] Saying, "How do you like my feather bed And how do you like my sheets? How do you like my lady Who lies in your arms asleep?" [Verse 10] "Oh, well I like your feather bed And well I like your sheets But better I like your lady gay Who lies in my arms asleep" [Verse 11] "Well, get up, get up," Lord Darnell cried "Get up as quick as you can It'll never be said in fair England I slew a naked man" [Verse 12] "Oh, I can't get up, I won't get up I can't get up for my life For you have two long beaten swords And I not a pocket knife" [Verse 13] "Well, it's true I have two beaten swords And they cost me deep in the purse But you will have the better of them And I will have the worse [Verse 14] "And you will strike the very first blow And strike it like a man I will strike the very next blow And I'll kill you if I can" [Verse 15] So Matty struck the very first blow And he hurt Lord Darnell sore Lord Darnell struck the very next blow And Matty struck no more [Verse 16] And then Lord Darnell he took his wife And he sat her on his knee Saying, "Who do you like the best of us Matty Groves or me?" [Verse 17] And then up spoke his own dear wife Never heard to speak so free "I'd rather a kiss from dead Matty's lips Than you or your finery" [Verse 18] Lord Darnell he jumped up And loudly he did bawl He struck his wife right through the heart And pinned her against the wall [Verse 19] "A grave, a grave," Lord Darnell cried "To put these lovers in But bury my lady at the top For she was of noble kin" [Fiddle Solo] [Guitar Solo]