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Matty Grove

from The Last Tree by Jack Warshaw

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about

The 16th century ballad, called Little Musgrave, was and is a place in Northumberland near Barnard Castle, from which Lord Banner in this American version gets his name. His noble lady has taken a village lad to bed with tragic consequences. The themes of lust, social misalliance and honor killing are timeless. The first time I heard it was from Peggy Seeger.

lyrics

It was on a high holiday
Very first day of the year
Matty Grove to church did go
God's holy word to hear
God's holy word to hear

First to come down was a lady in red
Then a lady in pearl
Last to come down was Lord Banner's wife
The fairest among them all

She set her eyes on Matty Grove
Matty Grove on she
"What will you take little Matty Grove
To spend this night with me."

"To spend this night with you," said he
"Would cause no end of war
For I know you to be Lord Banners wife
By the gold rings that you wear."

"So what if I be Lord Banner's wife
Lord Banner is not at home
He's gone down to London Town
To fetch young Henry's throne"

A little foot page was a-standing there
He took to his heel and run
He run till he came to the water side
Then he bent his breast and swum

"What news, what news my little foot page
Is my castle burning down?
Or is my lady brought to bed
Of a daughter or a son."

"Your castle is not burning down
You have no daughter nor son
Little Matty Grove's in bed with your wife
They lie as they was one."

They hadn't been in bed but an hour or more
Nor yet fell fast asleep
When up there stepped Lorn Banner himself
And stood by their bed feet

"How do you like my blanket sir?
How do you like my sheets?
How do you like my gay young wife
That lies in your arms asleep?"

"Right well do I like your blanket sir
Right well do I like your sheets
Better do I like your gay young wife
That lies in my arms asleep."

"Arise and dress little Matty Grove
As fast as ever you can
It'll never be said in the morning sun
That I slew a naked man"

"By my side hand two broad swords
They cost so deep in purse
And you shall have the better one
And I shall have the worst"

Little Matty had the very first blow
He struck and hit the floor
Lord Banner had the second blow
And Matty struck no more

He took his lady by the hand
Set her on his knee
"Come tell to me which you love best
Little Matty Grove or me."

"Right well do I like your cheek, said she
Right well do I like your chin
Better do I like little Matty Grove
Than you and all your kin."

He took his lady by the hand
Led her through the hall
Took her to the uppermost room
And slew her before them all

"Go bury these lovers in one grave
Bury them soft within
But lay my lady on the top
For she's of a nobler kin."

credits

from The Last Tree, released February 14, 2020
Jack, vocal and autoharp

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Jack Warshaw UK

Veteran of the 1960s folk revival, he passionately believes, writes and sings with authenticity and respect for traditional American styles and song carriers. He has met, learned from or worked with such legends as Pete, Mike and Peggy Seeger, Tom Paley, Ewan MacColl, Bob Dylan, Mississippi John Hurt, Clarence Ashley, Dave Van Ronk, Stuart Burns and many others. Watch Youtube. Bio on Wikipedia ... more

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