Click on title to link to YouTube's film clip of Pete Seeger's now famous 1960s (black and white, that's the give-away)"Rainbow Quest" for the performer in this entry's headline.
Markin comment:
This series, featuring Pete Seeger and virtually most of the key performers in the 1960s folk scene is a worthy entry into the folk archival traditions for future revivalists to seek out. There were thirty plus episodes (some contained more than one performer of note, as well as Pete solo performances). I have placed the YouTube film clips here one spot over four days, November 10-13, 2009 for the reader's convenience.
Markin comment:
This series, featuring Pete Seeger and virtually most of the key performers in the 1960s folk scene is a worthy entry into the folk archival traditions for future revivalists to seek out. There were thirty plus episodes (some contained more than one performer of note, as well as Pete solo performances). I have placed the YouTube film clips here one spot over four days, November 10-13, 2009 for the reader's convenience.
Mattie Groves
ReplyDeleteTraditional
"Mattie Groves" is performed by Mary Smith
Please refer to Cantaria's Copyright information
This is #81 in the F.J. Child collection of broadside ballads.
Hi ho, hi ho, on high holiday, the best day of the year
Little Mattie Groves to church did go, some holy words to hear
Some holy words to hear
He saw two ladies dressed in black, as they came into view
Lord Arlen's wife was gaily clad, a flower among the few
A flower among the few
She tripped up to Mattie Groves, her eyes so low cast down
Sayin stay, oh stay, come with me pray as you pass through the town
As you pass through the town
I cannot go, I dare not go, I fear it would mean my life
For I see by the little ring you wear you are Lord Arlen's wife
You're the great Lord Arlen's wife.
This may be false, this may be true, I can't deny it all
Lord Arlen's gone to consecrate King Henry at Whitehall
King Henry at Whitehall
Her little page did listen well to all that they did say
And err the sun did rise again, he quickly sped away
He quickly sped away
And he did run the King's highway, he swam across the tide
He ne'er did stop until he came to the great Lord Arlen's side
To the great Lord Arlen's side
How now, how now my bully boy? What news brings you to me?
My castle burnt, my tenants robbed, my lady with baby?
My lady with baby?
No harm has come to your house and lands, his little page did say
But Mattie Groves is bedded up with your fair lady gay
With your fair lady gay
Lord Arlen called his merry men, he bade them with him go
he bade them nary a word to speak and nary a horn to blow
And nary a horn to blow
Now among Lord Arlen's merry men was one who wished no ill
nd the bravest lad among the crew blew his horn so loud and shrill
Blew his horn so loud and shrill
What's this, what's this cried Mattie Groves, what's this that I do hear
It must be Lord Arlen's merry men, the ones that I do fear
The ones that I do fear
Lie down, lie down little Mattie Groves and keep my back from cold
It's only Lord Arlen's merry men calling the sheep to fold
Calling the sheep to fold
Little Mattie Groves he did lie down, he took a nap asleep
And when he awoke Lord Arlen was standing at his feet
A-standin at his feet
How now, how now, my bully boy, how do you like my sheets?
And how do you like your fair young bride who lies in your arms asleep?
Who lies in your arms asleep?
Oh it's very well I like your bed and it's fine I like your sheets
But it's best I like your fair young bride who lies in my arms asleep
Who lies in my arms asleep
Rise up, rise up little Mattie Groves as fast as e'er ye can
In England it shall ne'er be said that I slew a sleepin man
I slew a sleepin man
Now the first to struck little Mattie struck, he hurt Lord Arlen sore
But the next to stroke Lord Arlen struck little Mattie struck no more
Little Mattie struck no more
How now, how now my fair young bride, draw on your pretty clothes
Now tell me do you like me best, or like your Mattie Groves
Or the dying Mattie Groves
She picked up Mattie's dying head she kissed from cheek to chin
Said it's Mattie Groves I'd rather have than Lord Arlen and all his kin
Lord Arlen and all his kin
Woe is me, woe is me, why staid ye not your hand
For you have killed the fairest lad in all of England
In all of England