Mattie Groves
17th Century
Child Ballad 81
A holiday, a holiday,
The first one of the year
Lord Arlen's wife came into church
The gospel for to hear.
And when the meeting it was done
She cast her eyes about
And there she saw little Mattie Groves,
Walking in the park.
Come home with me
Little Mattie Groves,
Come home with me tonight
Come home with me
Little Mattie Groves
And sleep with me tonight.
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 Arlen's wife.
'Tis true I am Lord Arlen's wife,
Lord Arlen's not at home
He is out to the far corn fields,
Bringing the yearlings home.
And the sundt who was standing by
And hearing what was said
He saw Lord Arlen, he would know,
Before the sun would set.
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
Little Mattie Groves, he lay down
And took a little sleep
When he awoke Lord Arlen,
Was standing at his feet
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.
Oh well I like your feather bed
And well I like your sheets
But better I like your lady maid
Who lies in my arms asleep.
Well Get Up! Get Up! Lord Arlen cried,
Get up as quick as you can
It'll never be said in fair England
I slew a naked man!
Oh I won'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 have but a pocket knife.
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.
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.
So Mattie struck the very first blow
And he hurt Lord Arlen sore
Lord Arlen struck the very next blow
And Mattie struck no more.
And then Lord Arlen he took his wife,
He sat her on his knee
Saying who do you like the best of us,
Mattie Groves or me.
And then spoke up his own dear wife
Never heard to speak so free
I'd rather kiss one dead Mattie's lips
Than you and your finery.
Lord Arlen he jumped up
And loudly he did bawl
He stuck his wife right through the heart
And pinned her against the wall.
A grave, a grave, Lord Arlen cried,
To put these lovers in
But bury my lady at the top
For she was of noble kin.
DayPoems Poem No. 2544
<a href="http://www.daypoems.net/poems/2544.html">Mattie Groves by Anonymous</a>
The DayPoems Poetry Collection, www.daypoems.net
Timothy Bovee, editor
Poets Poems