A holiday and a holy day in the first month of the year
Lord Arnold's wife came into church, the Gospels for to hear
And when the meeting it was done she cast her eyes about
And there she saw little Matty Groves a-walkin' in the crowd
Come home with me little Matty Groves, come home with me tonight
Come home with me little Matty Groves, and sleep with me 'til light
Oh I can't go home, I won't go home and sleep with you tonight
From the rings on your fingers I can tell you are Lord Arnold's wife
Well if I am Lord Arnold's wife, Lord Arnold is not at home
For he is out in the far green fields a-bringing the yearlings home
But a servant who was standing by and hearing what was said
He swore Lord Arnold he would know, before the sun would set
And in his hurry to carry the news he dropped his coat and he ran
And when he came to the broad mill stream he took off his shoes and swam
Little Matty Groves he lay down and took a little sleep
When he awoke Lord Arnold was standing at his feet
Saying "how do like my feather bed and how do like my sheets
How do you like my lady who lies in your arms asleep"
Well it's well I like your feather bed and well I like your sheets
But it's better I like your lady gay who lies in my arms asleep
Well "get up, get up" Lord Arnold cried "get up as quick as you can
It'll never be said in this country I slew a naked man"
Oh I can't get up, I won't get up, I can't get up for my life
For you have two long beaten swords and I not a pocket knife
Well it's true I have two beaten swords and they cost me deep in the purse
You will have the better of them and I will have the worst
And you will strike the very first blow and strike it like a man
And I will strike the very next blow and I'll kill you if I can
So Matty struck the very first blow and he hurt Lord Arnold sore
Lord Arnold struck the very next blow and Matty struck no more
And then Lord Arnold he took his wife and he sat her on his knee
Saying "who do like the best of us, Matty Groves or me"
And then up spoke his own dear wife, never heard to speak so free
I'd rather a kiss from dead Matty's lips than you and your finery
Well then Lord Arnold he jumped up and loudly he did bawl
He struck his wife right through the heart and pinned her against the wall
"A grave, a grave" Lord Arnold cried "to put these lovers in
But bury my lady on the top for she was of noble kin"
