Mattie Groves
Track Information
Original Track ID
SA1988.112
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 is killed by him as a result.
Item Notes
Recorded at a concert in the Queen's Hall, Edinburgh, honouring Hamish Henderson on the occasion of his retirement.
Recording Location
County - Midlothian
Parish - Edinburgh
Village/Place - Edinburgh
Language
Gaelic
Genre
Collection
Source Type
Reel to reel
Audio Quality
Fair