DESCRIPTION:
Hello All! This is a ballad about Matty Groves who is propositioned by the wife of Lord Arlen and although initially reluctant he goes with her and they are both discovered by Lord Arlen. What happens next you'll have to listen to find out! Enjoy! Lyrics Below:

A holiday, a holiday,
The first one of the year.
Lord Arlen's wife came into the church
The Gospel for to hear

And when the meeting it was done
She cast her eyes about,
And there she saw little Matty Groves
Walking in the crowd.

"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"

"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."

"What if I am Lord Arlen's wife,
Lord Arlen's not at home.
He is out in the far cornfields,
Bringing the yearlings home."

Matty 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?
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 wife
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
That I slew a naked man."

"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 Matty struck the very first blow
And he hurt Lord Arlen sore.
Lord Arlen struck the very next blow
And Matty struck no more.

And then Lord Arlen he took his wife
And he sat her on his knee,
Saying, "Who do you like the best of us,
Matty Groves or me?"

And then up spoke his own dear wife,
Never know to speak so free:
"I'd rather kiss dead Matty's lips
Than you in your finery."

Then Lord Arlen he jumped up
And loudly he did bawl;
He struck 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."