I\u2019m not sure where I first heard this song. When I decided to record it, I was sifting through my book of songs and found the words which had been written down by Gordon Bok a few years ago. This ballad ranks high among the songs I love to sing.<\/p>\n
Gordon Bok – cellamba; Tom Judge – fiddle; Bob Stuart – guitar<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
There lived a lord within this town
\nWho had a fair and lovely daughter
\nShe was courted by a fine young lad
\nWho was a servant to her father
\nBut when her parents came to know
\nThey swore they’d drive him from this island
\nBut the maiden knew that her heart would break
\nIf she should part from young Matt Hyland<\/p>\n
Straightway unto his room she goes
\nUnto his room for to wake him.
\nSaying, “Arise and go, my own true love;
\nThis very night you will be taken
\nI overheard my father say,
\nIn spite of me he will transport you
\nSo arise and go, my own true love;
\nI wish to God I’d gone before you”<\/p>\n
“How can I go,” he said to her,
\n“How can I go without my wages
\nWithout a penny in my purse
\nJust like some poor forlorn stranger?”
\n“Here’s fifty guineas in bright gold
\nAnd that’s far more than father owes you.
\nSo arise and go, my own true love,
\nI wish to God I’d gone before you”<\/p>\n
Then they both sat down upon the bed
\nJust side by side for one half hour
\nAnd not a word to each other said,
\nBut down their cheeks the tears did shower.
\nShe laid her head upon his breast;
\nAround his waist her arms entwined.
\n“No lord or earl or duke I’ll wed;
\nI’ll wait for you my young Matt Hyland”<\/p>\n
The lord came to his daughter dear,
\nOne night alone in her bedchamber.
\nSaying, “I’ll give you leave to bring him back
\nSince there is none you sight above him.”
\nShe sent a letter to him then;
\nFor him her heart was still entwined.
\nShe’s brought him back to the church in haste.
\nShe’s made a lord of young Matt Hyland.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I\u2019m not sure where I first heard this song. When I decided to record it, I was sifting through my book of songs and found the words which had been written down by Gordon Bok a few years ago. This … Continue reading