| Dm | |
| A holiday, a holyday |
| F | |
| The first one of the y | ear |
| C | |
| Lord Arlen's wife came i | nto the church |
| Am | Dm | |
| The go | spel for to h | ear |
| Am | |
| And when the meeting it was done |
| C | |
| She cast her eyes ab | out |
| G | |
| And there she saw little | Matty Groves |
| Em | Am | |
| W | alking in the c | rowd |
| Come home with me little Matty Groves |
| Come home with me tonight |
| Come home with me little Matty 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 |
| 'T is 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 servant who was standing by |
| And hearing what was said |
| He swore 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 Matty Groves, he laid 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 to sleep |
| O well I like your feather bed |
| And well I like your sheets |
| But better I like your lady maid |
| Who lies in my arms to sleep |
| 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 getup |
| I can't get up for my life |
| For you have two long beating swords |
| And have not a pocket knife |
| Well it's true I have two beating 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 strikke the very first blow |
| And strike it like a man |
| And I will strike the very next blow |
| And hit you if I can |
| So Matty struck the very first blow |
| But struck Lord Arlen's sword |
| Lord Arlen struck the very next blow |
| And Matty struck no more |
| And the Lord Arlen he took his wife |
| And he sat her on his knee |
| Saying who do like the best of us |
| Matty groves or me |
| And then up spoke his own dear wife |
| Never heard het speak so free |
| I'd rather get a kiss from dead Matty'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. |