Little Matty Groves- Brewer (AR) 1958 Max Hunter
[From: Max Hunter Collection- Cat. #0280 (MFH #363).
R. Matteson 2015]
Little Matty Groves - As sung by Mrs. Pearl Brewer, Pochahantas, Arkansas on November 12, 1958
VERSE 1
There is two gold rings on your right hand
And you are Lord Arnold's wife
VERSE 2
And little footy page for standing by
And he taken to his heels an' run
He run and he run, till he reached the broad water side
And he fell upon his breast and swum
VERSE 3
He swum an' he swum, till he reached dry land
And he taken to his heels an' run
He run and he run, till he reached Lord Arnold
VERSE 4
Little Matty Groves gone home with your wife
And a bed feller he shall be
VERSE 5
If this be true, my little footy page
Those news you come tell unto me
I have one daughter in this wide world
And a married man you shall be
VERSE 6
But if this be a lie, my little footy page
Those news you come tell unto me
I'll build me a scaffold, ten feet high
And a hangman[1] you shall be
VERSE 7
Get up, get up, my little Matty Groves
An' put your clothing on
For it's not to be said, after I am dead
That I slew a man in the bed
1. hanged man