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Mattie Groves

Date 22 August 1970
Track ID 89124
Part 1

Track Information

Original Track ID

SA1970.179

Original Tape ID

SA1970.179

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 too.

Item Notes

Incomplete recording; ends abruptly as the tape runs out.

Recording Location

County - Perthshire

Parish - Blairgowrie

Village/Place - Blairgowrie

Language

English, Scots

Genre

Song

Collection

SoSS

Classification

R52 C81

Source Type

Reel to reel

Audio Quality

Good