A holiday, a holiday, the first one of the year.
Lord Donald's wife came to church a gospel for to hear.
And when the meeting it was o'er, she cast her eyes above
And there she saw little Mattie Groves, walking in the crowd.
Come home with me little Mattie Groves, come home with me tonight
Come home with me little Mattie Groves and sleep with me til light.
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 Donald's wife.
'What if I am Lord Donald's wife, Lord Donald's not at home
He is out in the far corn fields, bringing the yearlings home.
And the servant who was standing by and hearing what was said
He swore Lord Donald, he would know, before the sun would set.
And in his haste to carry the news, he clenched his fists and ran
And when he came to the broad mill stream he took off his shoes and swam
Little Mattie Groves, he lay down and took a little sleep
When he awoke Lord Donald, was standing at his feet.
Saying how do you like my feather bed and how do you like my sheets?
And how do you like my lady fair, who lies in your arms asleep?
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 Donald cried, Get Up as quick as you can!
It'll never be said in fair England 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 have a pocket knife.
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 worst.
And you will strike the very first blow and strike it like a man
and I will strike the very next blow and I'll kill you if I can!.
So Mattie struck the very first blow and he hurt Lord Donald sore
Lord Donald struck the very next blow and Mattie struck no more.
And then Lord Donald he took his wife, he sat her on his knee
Saying who do you like the better of us, Mattie Groves or me.
And then spoke up his own dear wife never heard to speak so free
I'd rather a kiss from dead Mattie's lips than you and your finery.
Lord Donald he jumped up and down she did fall
He stuck his wife right through the heart and pinned her against the wall.
A grave, a grave, Lord Donald cried, to put these lovers in
and one for me for I shall hang, payingfor this mortal sin.
A holiday, a holiday, and last one of his life
Little Mattie Groves went to the church, where he met Lord Donald's wife.