438. Matty Groves (Child 81) - (Traditional)

A typical ballad of love and murder from Child's collection, this goes back to at least the early 17th Century and has survived in many forms. The main character is known variously as Musgrave, Mossgrey, Matty Groves, Matthew Groves, Little Sir Grove and Marshall Groves among others. The husband can be Lord Barnard, Barnet, Barnabas, Arnold, Arlan, Allen, Daniel and so on. In the US, a popular shortened version of the song developed, known as "Shady Grove".

I first heard this song sung by Joan Baez (1962). Other notable recordings are by John Jacob Nile (1956), Doc Watson (1966), Fairport Convention (1969), Martin Carthy (1969), Christy Moore (1976), and Planxty (1992).

I have previously uploaded the variation known as "Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard." You can see it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zk-Jj7Grr0

You can watch a playlist of my renditions of the Child ballads:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B2D0D5657EA394E4

My website is here: raymondcrooke.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• folk
• song
• ballad
• love
• death
• murder
• little
• musgrave
• lady
• barnard
• planxty
• joan
• baez
• john
• jacob
• niles

[realoldgeezer]

Great version of my all-time favorite Child ballad. Even better than the abridged version by the great Joan B.

[raymondcrooke]

When I first heard Joan's rendition it was the longest song I had ever heard on any recording. It's hard to think of it as being abridged! I don't think my version comes anywhere near hers but thanks for the kind words.

[onkelbuke]

great job raymond. really appricate it. 5 stars man. cheers Chris

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks, Chris. This one tells an interesting story.

[raymondcrooke]

Thanks, Max. I always enjoyed "stewballmax2"'s comments. I wonder what happened to him!

[stewballmax3]

Greetings

Gentleman Raymond...

I've returned for another listen to this wonderful posting of yours by way of Marco's recent sterling rendition.

I must agree with with "stewballmax2"'s assertion...LOL!

Pax,

Max

[Whirligig12]

Yes, I was very surprised to hear this version, since I've also only heard the Fairport Convention. But I like this one, because it is sadder is I agree more heartfelt.

[raymondcrooke]

For me, this has always been a Joan Baez song. Hearing her sing this was a revelation to me.

However, I also like the more upbeat version - "Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard", which I've linked as a video response to this one.

[UncleVRoy]

Why yes it is!

[raymondcrooke]

Kind of like a microcosm of society, isn't it?