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about
Another one that started life with Silverwheel. In fact our first 2weeks2 make it video was of this very song back in 2007, check it out here. For a long time I didn't want to play it, as I felt I couldn't match Sue's vocals, but eventually came round to the idea of doing it if we could put our own spin on it. I'd always like the Musical style of different people singing the different characters, and of course much folk music just lends itself to this, so I sang the narrator & Lord Darnall, Ceri sang Lady Darnall and Rob played Matty Groves himself. Usually when we play the song live we finish it with the tunes 'Last Night's Fun' and 'The Merry Blacksmith' which we got from Fairport Convention & recorded on the 'Heavy Wood' CD, but Anna has this fantastic tune 'Runio's' that her dad taught her & no one else seems to have head of, so whenever she joins us live, and for this CD, we finish the song with this tune.
lyrics
A holiday, a holiday, and the first one of the year.
Lord Darnell'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 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 till 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 see you are Lord Darnell's wife."
"What if I am Lord Darnell's wife? Lord Darnell's not at home.
For he is out in the far cornfields, bringing the yearlings home."
And a servant who was standing by and hearing what was said,
She swore Lord Darnell he would know before the sun would set.
And in her hurry to carry the news, she beat her breast and ran,
And when she came to the broad mill stream, she took off his shoes and swam.
Little Matty Groves, he lay down and took a little sleep.
When he awoke, Lord Darnell he 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 gay who lies in my arms asleep."
"Well, get up, get up," Lord Darnell cried, "get up as quick as you can!
It'll never be said in fair England that I slew a naked man."
"Oh, I can'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 not a pocket-knife."
"Well it's true I have two beaten swords, and they cost me deep in the purse.
But you will have the better of them and I will have the worse."
"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 Darnell sore.
Lord Darnell struck the very next blow, and Matty struck no more.
And then Lord Darnell 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 heard to speak so free.
"I'd rather a kiss from dead Matty's lips than you and your finery."
Lord Darnell 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 Darnell cried, "to put these lovers in.
But bury my lady at the top for she was of noble kin."
credits
from New Leaves,
released July 28, 2017
Matty Groves/Runio's (trad arr. Treebeard)
Anna - fiddle. Ceri - flute, vocals. Chris - bouzouki, electric guitar, vocals. James - drums. Rob - bass, vocals.
Treebeard play original compositions as well as a selection of rock, pop, & folk songs & tunes on a variety of acoustic
instruments.
They are regulars on the beer festival circuit, and describe their style as 'Heavy Wood'. They released their second CD 'Reel Ale’ on Gabadon Records in April 2010.
They are currently working on tracks for a new CD....more
supported by 11 fans who also own “Matty Groves/Runio's”
First play of this album and I'm (for want of a better term) blown away - maybe Haze's best?! Great folk-tinged prog. Need to play it again now... gavinprog21
Celtic-inspired instrumentation, delicate harmonies, and reflective lyrics abound on the sisterly indie-folk duo's debut album. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 26, 2023
Bright and skipping songs that foreground the sound of the banjo and fingerstyle guitar in music that feels timeless. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 5, 2020
