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