Fairport Convention - Matty Groves

[Happyhibee1979]

and we will dance on the wall when the fat cats fall.power to the people

[altoidsmit]

I had always wondered whos intoxicating voice it was singing backround in the Led Zeppelin song The Battle Of Evermore,pretty cool to hear some of her other stuff

[aerialkate]

This is the classic line up, with Thompson and Denny. I've always meant to go to Cropredy - but the 'Sandy Spot' puts me off a bit. Who could do justice to Sandy Denny? Also (as I understand it) Dave Swarbrick is too ill to perform these days. Liege and Lief is one of the greatest albums ever made and deserves to be much more widely known. Though I do get a smug , elitist kick out of being someone who owns the record.

[gazrobbo53]

Probably the greatest English folk song of the 20th centuary

[SunsetKidnies]

sounds exactly like shady grove

[xtenkfarpl]

@SunsetKidnies

I think "Shady grove" was a later adaptation of the original folk song? Not unusual for traditional melodies to be recycled?

[yetiflicker]

matty groves had it coming to him.

[aerialkate]

@yetiflicker -  You're a hard hearted yetiflicker...

[yetiflicker]

@aerialkate he bonked his bird in his own bed, say no more.

[aerialkate]

@yetiflicker - The aristocracy used to roast peasants on a spit! Matty is a working class hero. And he sounds like a fox.

[yetiflicker]

@aerialkate matty was a horny little devil who played whoopsie with mr bigs bird, he got his just deserts.

[aerialkate]

@yetiflicker - Disgraceful! You should change your name to Jeremy Clarkson.

[54taqiyya]

@yetiflicker and he got caught! lol!! sometimes life sucks.

[54taqiyya]

@54taqiyya diminished returns, when is it worth the risk? boss can kill your whole family, lol!!

[endersgame55]

"Better I like your lady gay, who lies in my arms asleep."

As a kid I thought Matty was remarkably stupid for dropping that line, but of course, hearing the song now I realize, what the hell else was he supposed to say, really? It's actually quite brave of him.

And yet he counters that a second later with the wonderfully pragmatic assessment to the effect of "Well, if you're not going to kill me while I'm in bed then why the hell would I get out of bed?" Complex fellow that Matty.

[xtenkfarpl]

@endersgame55

So Matty he took up the sword, struck Donald through the heart

And now I have changed the song: a privilege of my art.

Now Matty's run for fear of life, he has become outlaw,

He's gone away to foreign fields, we'll hear of him no more

And as for Lord Donald's wife, she put on widows weeds to wear.

She's gone again in to the church, the gospel for to hear..

[verymetal86]

A Metal-Head i be, but maybe thats me point? ;)

[gazrobbo53]

The beat English folk song. And what a voice Sandy had, Will never be bettered

[fortheloveoftunes]

Let your hair hang low and be proud of ya pipe ma hippiebrotha! .-)

[XonValdise]

No Doubt..Unleash the Dogs of Folk!

[cherimelodie]

Al Stewart's love of this song is apparent in that a strong bit of it (style, not lyrical content) can be detected on Immelman Turn from his great album A Beach Full of Shells (2005.) And thanks to Al "hisownself" for steering (via Boomitude) toward this outrageously grand FC album. Traditional songs via decades old album, but wonderfully classic and timeless...

[lordblighty]

Oh dear, it looks as though Matty Groves has had illicit affairs with 11 members wives lol.

Matty Groves = a True player!

This song is brilliant!

[clutterbells]

Love this song. LIstened to the whole album yesterday. Brilliant stuff and timeless.

[gorka563]

magnifico.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!

[hellonearth1066]

Sandy Denny had and still has one of the most amazing voices I have ever heard. It is sublime. I feel sad every time I think of how short her life was. And it was such a random way to go. I never knew her, I've only heard her, and I'm completely in love with her.

/soppyshit.

[rustribbonwizz]

Still amazing and timeless after 40+ years! Hard to imagine how long it's been since Sandy Denny's passing and the demise of this truly great and unique group. RIP: Sandy

[TheWesteros]

Brilliant brilliant song. Remember the first wife buying me this album back in the seventies - the music lasted a lot longer than she did ;-)

[Django5198]

the repetetive drumming is beautifully errie

[TheRaichu5]

peraurevelerwe birbeuerivarure jturuegauauar eurujtureudreurjrkr ekr ujudbeueufsyh

[albatross7677]

11 people had pocket knives.

[yorozuyagaren]

@albatross7677 Osnap. Lord Donald must've killed off the lot of them then.

[19davo66]

Proper wake up Sunday music! THey might all be in Glastonbury, in the mud! I have memories of Cropredy, and I can hear Sandys' voice in the comfort of my house! Thank you for posting this!

[danifilth3]

@19davo66 You're welcome :)

[ricardochang24]

jajaj un video de matty!!!

[cakirkursat]

Amazing...

[Pusztabereny]

Imádom!!

Love from Hungary!:)

[phylton]

This is a most fucked up history, really. The song is great, nevertheless.

[DaDa2Phlux]

Donald's not at home you say :-)

[Django5198]

celtic rock ftw!!!

[nickshel]

My step-dad just gave me this album. My God. My estimation of folk just went up a thousandfold. How could indie music have come from this? This is good.

[taurtue]

@nickshel Haha agree with you, indie or so called folk music nowadays is nothing but pop rock shit with some folkish melodies...

This is true folk, so are young and dylan or even ritchie haven sometimes, but indie... HAHA let me laugh

[alivebytheriver]

i cant get enough of this song, justt brilliantt :)

[alivebytheriver]

nice rocky edge to this folk song, i like very much

[38Avril]

smells like a Vevet undergorund

[tennis11ish]

Apparently members of the Eagles asked Thompson to join them.....glad you said no, Richard!

[tennis11ish]

"Swarb" is great. Hope he can keep his health together. He's coming to Toronto soon.

[rocktenniscat]

Remembering Sandy today: Jan. 6, 1947 – April 21, 1978

[captspock1]

I have always loved her voice.I was lucky enough to catch her at both the Filmore west in San Francisco and east in NY

[MorrisManDanceMan]

very good tune

[sunnskyy]

Dave Swarbrick

[hunterhansen79]

11 people have shit taste in music.

[sunnskyy]

@hunterhansen79 Swarb was the man

[aives1]

still one of their best tracks ever

[PEPAMAN74]

Hi Friends. "CARDINAL POINTS" By brit progressive rock band "LEGEND" is released this monday, 21st march 2011

[GillmansWorld]

See Fairport at Twickenham Live Room - 19th March 2011 at 20.30. Tickets £20.00 on the door - with 100% of all profits going to give musical instruments to local school children.

[midmodgal]

Oh crap,  I've been singing Lord ARNOLD for years!!!

[retrosedan]

@midmodgal -- wouldn't worry about it. I've heard recordings/performances where they say Lord Donald, Darnell, Arnold, Arnell, Arlen, Honor, Harlan, Harley, and Barnard. See the wikipedia Matty Groves entry for more info.

[christopherbreach]

@midmodgal it's different from version to version, the one i'm used to is Lord Arland...

[MrYoungAtiba]

tune.

[MrBowsmith]

You may like to check out, "Little Musgrave", performed by Planxty.

[Todd200]

The instrumental jam is so awesome in this song. And of course, Sandy Denny is perfect too.

[UncleVinty]

how can there be 11 dislike? you don't like them just go away!!

[Battleschnodder]

@UncleVinty there is a reason that button is there. If you dont like it, press the button THEN go away.

[osopolar61]

Amazing. Robyn Hitchcock will be singing their songs in Chicago (March).

[RustyMaunders1]

Let's get down the tavern, swill some ale, and dance merrily till morning!

[Teddyb1939]

Sandy magic & the band on fire!!

[catlady669]

This is an Old English ballad. Watch the movie "Song Catcher" to understand OUR(my) "Appalachian" roots. I discovered Fairport Convention in the 70's. Still haunting to me.

[revwjh]

have heard this tune over many years especially while playing in pipe bands, this however is the absolute best.. Thanks for posting.. Many Blessings, rev.jon

[revwjh]

@fasfadsfsd Thanks, I think.. I am not the typical rev., My roots are deep in music of all types having traveled the U.S. and Canada in both rock and pipe bands as a drummer.. I do however love the Celtic sounding the best. Sandy Denny was definitely one of UK's best vocalists/writers .

[JJLewin1]

Back in the 70's I took some Bass Guitar lessons with these great guys, seems so long ago now.

[Zippstrbaby]

"A grave, a grave!'' Lord Darnell cried, "to put these lovers in.

But bury my lady at the top for she was of noble kin."

*Instrumental*

Fin

P.S. sorry its multiple comment but it is the best i can do =P

[Zippstrbaby]

And then Lord Darnell he took his wife and he sat her on his knee,

Saying, "Who do you 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."

Lord Darnell he jumped up and loudly he did bawl,

He struck his wife right through the heart and pinned her against the wall.

[Zippstrbaby]

"Well it's true I have two beaten swords, and they cost me deep in the purse.

But you will have the better of them and I will have the worse."

"And you will strike the very first blow, and strike it like a man.

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 Darnell sore.

Lord Darnell struck the very next blow, and Matty struck no more.

[Zippstrbaby]

"Oh, well I like your feather bed, and well I like your sheets.

But better I like your lady gay who lies in my arms asleep."

"Well, get up, get up," Lord Darnell cried, "get up as quick as you can!

It'll never be said in fair England that 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."

[Zippstrbaby]

And in his hurry to carry the news, he bent his breast and 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 Darnell he was standing at his feet.

Saying "How do you like my feather bed? And how do you like my sheets?

How do you like my lady who lies in your arms asleep?"

[Zippstrbaby]

"Oh, I can't come home, I won't come home and sleep with you tonight,

By the rings on your fingers I can tell you are Lord Darnell's wife."

"What if I am Lord Darnell's wife? Lord Darnell's not at home.

For he is out in the far cornfields, bringing the yearlings home."

And a servant who was standing by and hearing what was said,

He swore Lord Darnell he would know before the sun would set.

[Zippstrbaby]

if anyone wants the lyrics:

A holiday, a holiday, and the first one of the year.

Lord Darnell's wife came into church, the gospel for to hear.

And when the meeting it was done, she cast her eyes about,

And there she saw little Matty Groves, walking 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 till light."

[irelephant]

Beyond Sandy's perfect vocals, the guitar work absolutely soars well beyond the constraints of the traditional, yet never losing authenticity or passion.

[KNICKERS71]

Ive liked this song since I was a kid growing up in the Liberties Dublin. 54 years young and I still love it! Beats any crap nowadays!!!

[alcemical1process]

his name is lord darnell

[twlthteg]

248 comments, and only one from that prick atfatw!

[aives1]

Just enjoy the Denny voice and the story....its the best of English Folk music.

[Tulip661]

Best part 3:52 to 4:00 .....brings the story alive, Love this

[Sammicsno]

terrible thing, jealousy

[WINDYCLAIR]

Oh Matty Oh ! I rather a kiss from dead Matty's lips than you or your finery!!

[icespeckledhen]

excellent version, thanks for posting

[acherentia]

this song is not about love. it is about the power gradient between the rich\poor, men\women, a lost fight from the beginning.

[yetiflicker]

he gave matty a chance, but just mullered his mrs without a chance, he must of been realy rather annoyed with her....

[mufcdk]

My favorite Fairport thanks Sandy & gang 60's Barry

[mufcdk]

My favorite Fairport thanks Sandy & gang 60's Barry

[archerrobinhood]

ive heard this tune in a film before.....what was it??

[loveallthepeople1000]

a room for romeo brass-shane meadows film.

[Baruchyoseph8]

The group shines here - the singing, backing, Richard Thompson's characteristic guitar playing, the fiddle ... everyone. Thanks

[QMPhilosophe]

God, Sandy Denny was amazing. This is real music - not the crap forced down our throats by the music industry.

[Bluelighting666]

@QMPhilosophe i just listened to this again after so many year and OMG talk aabout nostalgia i love it !!

WOW

lew x x

[loveallthepeople1000]

@QMPhilosophe fuckin' a

[irishelk3]

@QMPhilosophe well said

[TheRaichu5]

gf

[rbradaigh]

@QMPhilosophe Well said.

[MACHAWK123]

One of the best folk/rock tracks ever. As great today as the day it was released.

[drylake92]

Im an amateur guitarist and would like to learn this. Does anyone know and is willing to tell me the guitar riff and chord progressions etc. Im struggling to find it anywer else. Much obliged thanks a million

[Incudius]

Such a great tune and is not tied to these lyrics but has crossed the time and the oceans and been used in many ways.

However thuis it the best narrative of the "Matty Groves" versions I have ever heard,

RIP Sandy. So many of us are still listening to your voice.

[sexyeyes1969]

What can I say about this song by Fairport Convention from 1969.

It goes just nice with Steeley Spans song called The Lowlands of Holland 1970.

I really like those two grouos....

[BardofCornwall]

Very cool version. Quite different from Christy Moore's "Little Musgrave," which is clearly based on similar lyrics.

[childsplaymusic]

@BardofCornwall same song, but Christy Moore's version uses Nic Jones' melody. Both are fantastic versions of this wonderful traditional song. I don't know of another song that has this power, this heart-felt feeling.

It tears your heart out; we can all place ourselves in Matty Grove's situation. We owe fealty to our lord, yet we love his wife. We are drawn, yet we fear. My preference is for Christy's version, but this is where I heard this song first, and it will always be a favourite.

[Django5198]

This song has everything in it. Beautiful lyrics, great singing, Richard Thompsons great little solos, and kinda creepy drumming.

[bwd81977]

This sounds really celtic.

[bwd81977]

Wow this is great. I had no idea this existed. I knew Sandy Denny from the Led Zepplin song. Is this like a British super group or something?

[jackal59]

@bwd81977 Fairport Convention formed in 1967 and did three recordings early on with Sandy Denny (this one is from '69 and is credited by many with starting the whole genre of British "folk rock"). The guitarist is Richard Thompson, who continues to play and sing and has probably just gotten better over the past forty years. See if you can borrow the CD of "Liege and Leaf" from someone, and then get Richard and Linda Thompson's "Shoot Out the Lights." Prepare to be blown away. :)

[bwd81977]

@jackal59 Cool thanks for the info. I had heard the name Richard Thompson befor, I know there are alot of great players, but for some reason they are rather obscure.

[mywishLE]

@bwd81977 yes it was,,, the greatest folk rock group ever existed... each one of them the greatest!

[swinderby]

Good man Lord Donald! I would have done the same with the slut and her fancyman.

[TheOzimal]

That's a damn fine version. Unfortunately, Doc Watson owns this song! No others need apply.

[bravexbroadcast]

after hearng this song end i had the strangest urge to start clapping loudly...

[yoda43]

timeless



[MrCheche63]

très grand groupe qui mérite d etre connu , avec cette chanson extraordinaire chantée merveilleusement par Sandy Dennis , et un grand Richard Thompson à la guitare !!!

J'adore !!!

[cjprior88]

i've just bin listening to all the other version of this son and this by far the best.

[KennBurch]

A great song to play to anybody who laments the loss of "traditional family values"

[deaddoc]

Look what they had, Richard Thompson on guitar, David Swarbrick on fiddle, the great support of the rythum section, and Sandy Denny's angel voice, that could turn from subtle sweetness to the power of an avenging angel.

[mfox3737]

Sandy was so superb, whether she played with Fairport, Fotherengay, Strawbs...the voice always gets to me....and the fact that she was also a great songwriter, nice guitar and piano player....she seemed surreal, an angel.

[vandergraaf79]

A folkrock masterpiece

[Cynhafal1]

she is a tart Lord D, bin her and go out with me instead ;)

hee hee

[padraigpurseal]

Must say it still sounds great more than 40 years later

Thanks for the memory

[MissPandora1967]

.this song reminds me so much of my 1st boyfriend its untrue..a mad Dutch hippie who used to play this to me on his madolin ..lol..generally a bit stoned,..lol,,halcyon days,26yrs later no man compares,,,,the one that got away,,,he found me on here last yr+that was his very words about me..lol:))

[brillo421]

@MissPandora1967

Hmmmm I saw Miss Sandy Denny in early 1970 when she was voted best female singer along with best male vocalist Robert Plant. Magic days. The joys of you Tube to relive those days I love as my life...... XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX­XX

[MissPandora1967]

@brillo421 Absolutely magic,you are very lucky..I'm 43+born slightly out of time...absolutely adore Sandy.Bert Jansch+Anne Briggs...having said that I like death metal too...lolol..cheers for you reply..Sophie XXX kisses back!!

[crlchs1]

Excellent. And I love your comment, breeeegs! : )

[rustribbonwizz]

Fairport Convention was and still is THE best of British folk / rock. Sandy Denny was an irreplaceable, incomparable & tragically lost young talent with NO match. Saw them in Boston sometime between '70-'71. Incredible then and still 40 years later! Timeless classic masterpieces! RIP--Sandy Denny.

[MatthewWiddison]

I was named after a sailor who had sex with his owners wife and gets shot with the girl n1 dad

[Paley]

Just outstanding

[sitithesecond]

this is one of my favourites by Fairport. Rattling good yarn too :-)

[yoda43]

love it

[yoda43]

yes sandy`s  voice is perfect and sweet, but the story is the star! and anyone can sing it. go on give it a go

[Nixie26]

For the English, these are ancestors. These people are immortal. Whose DNA runs in your veins?

[nicehatfool15]

this is the shit!

[pyjobin]

Play with me please

[Pusztabereny]

Imádom ezt a dalt! Love from Hungary!

[XDMissMurder]

love this song. and it's great live =]

[Cynhafal1]

better crash and burnthan fade away eh matty?

:)

[adric137]

interesting music

[nappodan1]

This song is probably the best narrative--a story being told--that I've ever heard via music outside of opera. The lyrics and Sandy Denny's vocals convey so much beyond mere words. You have a sense of the materialism of Lord Donald, the stupidy of Matty Groves, and the dissatisfaction of Lord Donald's wife. Note the part when Matty says, "better I like your lady, who lies in my arms asleep", and Lord Donald just goes off, losing the rhythm of the exchanges, "Get up!, Get up!"

[paritoshpant]

amazing Danny..a forever song by a mile....am sure Matty had the ball of his life before he got knocked out 4 ever for screwing the late Mrs Donald ...and am sure they're having a ball in heaven and watching Donald huffing at his cornfields an bringing his yearlings home

[nonthere]

The jam near the end almost sounds like they'd been listening to the Allman Brothers. Great stuff!

[noelmcquaid]

there are still a few matty groves living in my neighbourhood !

[dasgellendehorn]

@noelmcquaid hahahaha. funny comment. My recommendation: hit em, hit em hard, hit em as hard as you can.

[livstar93]

the first version i ever heard of this was by a local band called Doonvarna. their version is much moer uptempo. its good. this one is good too

[TheDeathOfRats1]

You will strike the very first blow, and you'll strike it like a man,

And I will strike the very next blow, and I'll kill you if I can...

[renedanielle1]

Great stuff ! Loved her voice.... PS regarding her death-- was it the Jimmy Page Black Magic/Satanic curse ? ( that also killed Bonham, Plant's son, and cxl. their big tour...)

R.I.P and avoid the Great Deceiver at all costs...

[nedarc]

I did not know her personally, I only know what I've read that she died from a haemorrage from a brain tumour after falling down the stairs at her Parents Home. Wheather the wispers of her substance abuse and confusion about her future career path might have also played a role, your guess is as good as mine, God bless her.

[remeclerk]

I heard so many rumours of how she died ( god bless her0 anyone out there know the truth???, regards Steve

[Django5198]

@remeclerk I think she got internal bleeding in her brain after falling down a staircase in Cornwall around 1979. FC is not FC without her.

[DickPoleman]

hey, no way man, i'm matty groves.....see, it says it right here

[CamLwalk]

I blame the servent. What a jerk!

[mylovingrags]

This is a band that has real talent....they'll be remembered. I'll always play this band.

[ozzymandi]

gebratenes

Sandy Denny ,

The girl singing this song sang with Robert Plant on a Led Zeppelin album.

The song was called The Battle For Evermore.

[mylovingrags]

One of the best songs written. A great one indeed!

[grengd]

@mylovingrags Written during the time of the first English civil war 1640 or there abouts.

[Goldilocks417]

This song is the epitome of justifiable homicide of a cheating spouse and the lover.

[Pusztabereny]

Imádom ezt a dalt! I love tihs SONG! Love from Hungary!

[gebratenes]

they remind me of led zeppelin haha

[crazyacea]

I like metal, rock, emo, whatever you wanna call it. But I love this song... No idea why xD

[gebratenes]

me too man its weird its like phantasy rock somehow its just freakin cool

[carollizc]

@crazyacea Duh! You love it because it's great! You can't beat a song about an unfaithful wife and a murderous husband, especially when sung by Sandy Denny, with Swarb's fiddle and Thnompson's guitar backing her up. You just have good taste, man.

[grengd]

@crazyacea This song was written about 350 years ago during the first English civil war

[janetkidd09]

still the best ever

[Scoobafly]

My name is Matt Groves.

YEAH

[wadjela]

@Scoobafly

Hi Matt, my name is Lucy Sky-Diamond.

YEP ;)

[breeeegs]

My name is Lord Donald. Get the hell off my wife

[remeclerk]

@breeeegs his name is lord Arnold (its the accent)....cheers! -Steve