Little Mattie Groves
Unknown Person
Track Information
Original Track ID
SA1986.149
Original Tape ID
Summary
In this ballad, Lady Darnel seduces Mattie Groves while her husband is away. Lord Darnel is alerted to this by his page boy, and goes to intervene. Finding Mattie Groves in bed with his wife, Lord Darnel demands that they fight a duel, but gallantly gives the best sword to his opponent and offers him the first strike in order to even the odds. Mattie Groves wounds the Lord badly, but is killed by the Lord's own strike. In defiance, Lady Darnel says that she would prefer her slain lover over her husband, and he kills her.
Item Subject/Person
Groves, Mattie; Darnel, Lord; Darnel, Lady
Recording Location
County - Fife
Parish - St Andrews and St Leonards
Village/Place - St Andrews
Language
English
Genre
Collection
Source Type
Reel to reel
Audio Quality
Good