Little Matha Grove- McNab (NS) pre1932 Creighton
[Fragment with music from Creighton; Songs and Ballads from Nova Scotia; 1932. Her notes follow. Creaighton gives two full texts from NS in her 1950 book with Senior.
R. Matteson 2015]
No. 5. Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard. Child 81.
Unfortunately Mrs. McNab could only recall a fragment of this well-known ballad. Stanzas somewhat similar to my Nova Scotia text may be found in Child 81, G and I, while E agrees that " Lord Barnaby " shall be " hanged or, the morrow." The usual title is the above, but my singer knows it as Little Matha Grotse. Mackenzie, No. B, has five variants from Pictou County, Nova Scotia.
LITTLE MATHA GROVE Sung by Mrs. William McNab, Halifax; pre-1932
1. He took his lady by the hand
And sat her on his knee,
And said, "Come tell to me which you love best,
Is it Little Matha Grove or me? "
2. "It's well do I like his cheek," said she,
"And it's well do I like his chin,
And it's better do I like his little finger
Than Lord Arnold and all his kin."
3. He took his lady by the hand
And led her o'er the plain,
And he never spoke another word
Till he split her head in twain.
4. Lord Arnold has killed his wife to-clay
And he shall be hanged to-morrow.