Massey Grove- Lena Harmon (NC) 1969 Burton
[From: "Some Ballad Folks" by Thomas Burton; 1978. Sung with Hattie Presnell in 1969. Burton's notes follow.
This version was learned from her father a Baptist preacher who edited out the entire first part of the ballad about the adultery- leaving the murder of two people instead.
R. Matteson 2015]
"Massey Grove" ("Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard," Child 81) is another one of her father's songs, one which she supposes correctly "hunderds of years old." Incidentally, she is aware of other versions of the song, particularly one that she doesn't approve of. "Now Doc Watson's got that song that I don't like. It brings in indecent things that I don't like while this one I sing is all very-you know." Lena's version:
1. Little Massey saw him standing by; said, "Give me a chance for my life;
Here you stand with two big swords, and me not as much as a knife, knife,
And me not as much as a knife."
2. "Yes, I know I have two big swords; they costed deep in my purse.
You can take the best of them, and I will take the worst, worst,
And I will take the worst.
3. "The very first lick you strike at me, strike it like a man;
The very first lick I get at you I'll kill you if I can, can,
I'll bill you if I can."
4. The very first lick Little Massey struck, he struck a mighty blow;
The very first lick Lord Daniel struck, he killed Little Massey Qrove, Grove,
Killed Little Massey Grove.
5. He look this lady by the hand, and he get her on his knee:
"Which one do you love the best, Little Massey Grove or me, me,
Little Massey Grove or me?"
6. "Very well I like your red rose cheeks; very well I like your chin,
But I wouldn't give Little Massey Grove for you and all your kin, kin,
For you and ail your kin."
7. He took this lady by the hand; he led her in the hall,
Placed his special against her breast; she fell by a pistol ball, ball,
She fell by a pistol ball.
8. Lord Daniel called his men to him; he called 'em with a mighty good will,
Placed his bugle to his mouth; he blowed it loud and shrill, shrill,
He blowed it loud and shrill.