Matty Groves

trad. / Fairport Convention: Liege & Lief (1969)

	Em
1.	A holiday a holiday and the first one of the year.

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_ Lord Arnold's wife came	into the church, the	gospel	for to	hear.

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2.	When the meeting it was done she cast her eyes about,

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_ And there she saw little	Matty Groves,	walking	in the	park.

3. "Come home with me, little Matty Groves, come home with me tonight.

_ Come home with me, little Matty Groves and sleep with me 'til light."

4. "Oh I can't come, I won't come and sleep with you tonight.

_ By the rings on your fingers I can tell you are Lord Arnold's wife."

5. "What if I am Lord Arnold's wife, Lord Arnold is not at home,

_ He is out in the far corn fields, bringing the yearlings home."

6. And a servant who was standing by and hearing what was said,

_ He swore Lord Arnold he would know before the sun would set.

7. And in his hurry to carry the news, he filled his breast and ran,

_ And when he came to the broad mill stream he took off his shoes and swam.

8. Little Matty Groves, he lay down and took a little sleep.

_ When he awoke, Lord Arnold he was standing at his feet.

9. Saying "How do you like my feather bed and how do you like my sheets?

_ And how do you like my lady, who lies in your arms asleep?"

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."

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11. "	Well Get Up! Get Up!" Lord Arnold cried, "Get Up as quick as you can!

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_ It'll never be said in	fair England I	slew a	naked	man!"

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12. "	Oh I won't get up, I won't get up, I can't get up for my life.

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_ For you have two long	beaten swords and	I not a	pocket	knife."

13. "Well it's true I have two beaten swords, they cost me deep in the purse.

_ But you will have the better of them and I will have the worst.

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."

15. So Matty struck the very first blow and he hurt Lord Arnold sore.

_ Lord Arnold struck the very next blow and Matty struck no more.

16. And then Lord Arnold he took his wife and sat her on his knee,

_ Saying "Who do you love the best of us, Your Matty Groves or me?"

17. And then spoke up 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."

18. Lord Arnold he jumped up and loudly he did bawl,

_ He stuck his wife right through the heart and pinned her against the wall.

19. "Oh, a grave! A grave!" Lord Arnold cried, "To put these lovers in.

_ But bury my lady at the top for she was of noble kin."