Little Matty Groves

Cat. #0280 (MFH #363) - As sung by Mrs. Pearl Brewer, Pocahontas, Arkansas on November 12, 1958

VERSE 1
There is two gold rings on your right hand
And you are Lord Arnolds wife

VERSE 2
And little footy page for standing by
And he taken to his heels an' run
He run and he run, till he reached th broad water side
And he fell upon his breast and swum

VERSE 3
He swum an' he swum, till he reached dry land
And he taken to his heels an' run
He run and he run, till he reached Lord Arnold

VERSE 4
Little Matty Groves gone home with your wife
And a bed feller he shall be

VERSE 5
If this be true, my little footy page
Those news you come tell unto me
I have one daughter in this wide world
And a married man you shall be

VERSE 6
But if this be a lie, my little footy page
Those news you come tell unto me
I'll build me a scaffold, ten feet high
And a hangmun you shall be

VERSE 7
Get up, get up, my little Matty Groves
An' put your clothing on
For it's not to be said, after I am dead
That I slew a man in th bed

Variants