Little Matthew Groves- Pierce (SC-NC) 1925 Smith B
[From Reed Smith's South Carolina Ballads, 1928.
R. Matteson 2012, 2015]
B. "Little Matthew Groves." Communicated in 1925 by Miss Tressie Pierce, of Columbia, S. C., who learned it in Alexander County, N. C.
1. High, and a high, and a high holiday
Upon the first of the year;
Little Matthew Groves started out to the church,
The holy word for to hear,
The holy word for to hear.
2. First passed him by a gay young bride,
And the next passed him by was a pearl;
And the third passed him by was Lord Donald's wife,
The fairest of the three.
3. "Come along with me, Little Matthew," she said;
"This night in my arms for to lie;"
"Oh no, oh no," he said, "I dare not for my life,
For I know by the gold rings on your finger,
That you are Lord Donald's wife."
4. "And what if I am Lord Donald's wife,
Lord Donald is not at home;
He's gone to the new academy
King Henry for to see."
5. A little foot page was standing by,
And he took to his heels and he run;
He came to where the bridge was broke,
And he pitched on his breast and he swum.
6. He ran till he came to King Henry's gate,
And tingled at the ring;
And none so ready as Lord Donald himself,
To get up and let him in.
7. "What news, what news, my little foot page,
What news have you for me?"
"Little Matthew Groves is at your own house
In bed with your gay lady."