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Little Matty Groves

from Heart of the Hills Vol. 1 by Mardell McCombs

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    In these ballads, dating mainly from the 1600 to 1700’s you will find the following tales:

    The ghost of a dearly departed summoned from the grave gives doleful warnings.

    A fair maid receives nocturnal visitations from a shape-shifting sea creature.

    Plus a serial killer, murder most foul, infanticide, love, lust, betrayal and the mother-in-law from hell!

    Not to mention the curious case of the Little Pig.

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lyrics

LITTLE MATTY GROVES traditional


One day, one day, one high holy day
The best day of the year
When all good folk to the church did go
The gospel for to hear

Now the first lady down come dressed in red
The next came dressed in green
Lord Arlen’s wife was all in white
As fair as any queen

And when the meeting it was done
She cast her eye about
And there she saw Little Matty Groves
A'standin' in the crowd

Come home with me Little Matty Groves
Come home with me tonight
Come home with me Little Matty Groves
And lie with me this night

Oh, I won't go home, no I can't go home
Oh I dare not, for my life
By the rings on your fingers I can tell
You are Lord Arlen’s wife

Tis true, I am Lord Arlen’s wife
But Lord Arlen, he's not home
He is gone off to the far corn field
To bring the cattle home

Now a servant who was standing by
He heard all that was said
And he swore Lord Arlen he would know
Before the sun was set

All in his haste to carry the news
He filled his breast and ran
And when he came to the broad mill stream
Took off his shoes and swam

When he climbed up on the green green grass
He took to his heels and run
Until he came to Lord Arlen’s gate
Where he loudly knocked and rung

Get up! Get up! Lord Arlen, he cried
And hear the news I've brung
Little Matty Groves lies with your lady wife
And their hearts beat as one

Is this the truth you tell to me?
Or dare you to speak some lie?
You'll be a rich man ere it is day
Or you'll hang from the tree so high

Lord Arlen summoned up his men
His horn blew loud and shrill
And away they rode with all good speed
To his castle on the hill

Now Little Matty Groves, he had laid him down
And he took a little sleep
And he woke to find Lord Alen there
A'standin' at his bed feet

Saying: How do you like my feather bed?
How do you like my sheets?"
And how do you like my lady wife
who lies in your arms asleep?

Very well do I like your feather bed
Very well do I like your sheets
But better do I like your lady wife
Who lies in my arms asleep

Get up! Get up! Lord Arlen, he cried
Get dressed as quick as you can
Let it never be said in all England fair
That I slew a naked man

O I won't get up, no I can't get up
Oh I dare not for my life
For you have two fine beating swords
And I've not a pocket-knife

Tis true, I've two fine beating swords
They cost me deep in purse
But you shall choose the better of them
And I will take the worse

Then do you strike the very first blow
And strike it like a man
And i will strike the very next blow
And I'll kill you if I can

Little Matty struck the very first blow
But he hit Lord Arlen’s sword
Lord Arlen struck the very next blow
Matty Groves, he struck no more

And then Lord Arlen took his wife
And set her on his knee
Saying who do you like the better of us now
Little Matty Groves or me?

Then up and spoke Lord Arlen’s wife
Never had she spake so free
I'd rather one kiss from dead Matty's lips
Than you and all your finery

Lord Arlen jumped up in a rage
And loudly he did bawl
He stabbed his dear wife through the heart
And pinned her against the wall

A grave, a grave, Lord Arlen, he cried
To put these lovers in
But bury my lady at the top
For she was of noble kin

credits

from Heart of the Hills Vol. 1, released September 15, 2019

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Mardell McCombs Talking Rock, Georgia

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