Alela Diane Menig (born April 20, 1983, Nevada City, California, USA) is an… Read Full Bio ↴Alela Diane Menig (born April 20, 1983, Nevada City, California, USA) is an American singer and songwriter. She grew up singing with her musician parents and performing in the school choir. She taught herself guitar, and began writing songs which blend tense, trance-like arpeggios with warm vocals and meditative lyrics about family and nature. Her first recordings were self-released in 2003 as Forest Parade. Her first solo public appearances were at the invitation of fellow Nevada City native Joanna Newsom. She also did a stint in the Nevada City slow grass band Black Bear before continuing with her solo pursuits.

The songs for her album, 'The Pirate’s Gospel', were written on a trip to Europe. They were recorded in her father’s studio and were initially self-released in 2004, in paper and lace sleeves with hand lettering. The album was issued in revised form by Holocene Music in October 2006, and received widespread critical acclaim.

A new song, "Dry Grass and Shadows", was issued on a compilation of Nevada City artists, and five more new songs were issued on a limited-edition 10" vinyl pressing, Songs Whistled Through White Teeth, released in the UK in October 2006. The Pirate's Gospel was released in the UK on Names Records in April 2007, garnering favorable reviews in The Times and NME.

Alela Diane has toured in the USA both solo and with Tom Brosseau, and has also opened for the Decemberists, Akron/Family and Vashti Bunyan. She performed in the UK in April and August 2007. According to a relatively recent interview, her second album is to be expected shortly. She now lives in Nevada City, California.

She toured Europe (UK, Ireland, France, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany) in March, April and May 2008.

Matty Groves
Alela Diane Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

A holiday, a holiday
The first one of the year
Lord Arland's wife came into the 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"

"Oh, I can't come home, I won't come home
Sleep with you tonight
By the rings on your fingers I can tell
You are my master's wife"

"Well, if I am Lord Arland's wife
Lord Arland's not at home
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 Arland he would know
Before the sun would set

And in his hurry to carry the news
He bent his breast and ran
And when he came to the broad millstream
He took off his shoes and swam

Matty Groves, he lay down
And took a little sleep
When he awoke, Lord Arland
Was standing at his feet

Saying "How do you like my feather bed
How do you like my sheets
How do you like my lady
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 Arland cried
"Get up as quick as you can
It'll never be said in fair England
That I slew a naked man"

"Well, 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"

"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
And 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 Arland sore
Lord Arland struck the very next blow
And Matty struck no more

And then Lord Arland took his wife
And 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 or your finery"

Lord Arland he jumped up
And loudly he did bawl
He struck his wife right through the heart
And pinned her against the wall

"A grave, a grave," Lord Arland cried
"To put these lovers in

But bury my lady at the top
She was of noble kin"

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Matty Groves" tell a story of infidelity and betrayal. The song starts off with Lord Arland's wife attending a church service, where she spots a young man named Matty Groves. The two engage in an affair, and when Lord Arland finds out, he challenges Matty to a fight. Despite being unarmed, Matty agrees to the fight, and ultimately loses his life. Lord Arland then proceeds to kill his wife by striking her through the heart, revealing his true nature as a violent and jealous husband.

The song's lyrics are set to a traditional British folk melody and are performed with pronounced harmonies and delicate acoustic guitar. The story of "Matty Groves" is a classic example of the English ballad tradition, which often features stories of love, betrayal, and violence. The song has been covered by many artists over the years, including Fairport Convention, Joan Baez, and Bonnie "Prince" Billy.

Line by Line Meaning

A holiday, a holiday
It's a holiday, celebrated with much fervor.

The first one of the year
The first holiday of the year.

Lord Arland's wife came into the church
Lord Arland's wife entered the church

The gospel for to hear
To listen to the gospel

And when the meeting it was done
When the meeting was over

She cast her eyes about
She looked around

And there she saw little Matty Groves
Saw Matty Groves in the crowd

Walking in the crowd
Walking amidst the crowd

"Come home with me, little Matty Groves
"Come home with me tonight, Matty Groves

Come home with me tonight
Stay with me for the night

And sleep with me till light"
And sleep with me until morning

"Oh, I can't come home, I won't come home
"I cannot come back, I will not sleep with you tonight

Sleep with you tonight
Stay with her and sleep with her

By the rings on your fingers I can tell
By the rings on your fingers I can tell

You are my master's wife"
That you are Lord Arland's wife

"Well, if I am Lord Arland's wife
"Even if I'm Lord Arland's wife

Lord Arland's not at home
Lord Arland is not home

He is out in the far cornfields
He is out in the distant cornfields

Bringing the yearlings home"
Bringing the young animals home

And a servant who was standing by
A servant who was present

And hearing what was said
Heard what was said

He swore Lord Arland he would know
He swore he'd tell Lord Arland

Before the sun would set
Before the sunset

And in his hurry to carry the news
In his haste to tell the news

He bent his breast and ran
He ran with all his might

And when he came to the broad millstream
And when he reached the wide brook

He took off his shoes and swam
He swam across the stream without his shoes on.

Matty Groves, he lay down
Matty Groves lay down

And took a little sleep
And slept for a little while

When he awoke, Lord Arland
When he woke up, Lord Arland

Was standing at his feet
Was standing near his feet

Saying "How do you like my feather bed
"Do you like my feather bed

How do you like my sheets
Do you like my bed linens?

How do you like my lady
Do you like my wife?

Who lies in your arms asleep?"
Who is sleeping in your arms?

"Oh, well I like your feather bed
"I like your feather bed

And well I like your sheets
And I like your bed linens

But better I like your lady gay
But I prefer your merry wife

Who lies in my arms asleep"
Who sleeps in my embrace

"Well, get up, get up," Lord Arland cried
"Get up O Lord Arland, Get up"

"Get up as quick as you can
"Get up as fast as you can

It'll never be said in fair England
It will never be known in England

That I slew a naked man"
That I killed an unarmed man

"Well, I can't get up, I won't get up
"I can't get up, I won't get up

I can't get up for my life
Because my life is at stake

For you have two long beaten swords
Because you have two long beaten swords

And I not a pocket knife"
And I don't have any weapons

"Well it's true I have two beaten swords
"It is true, I have two beaten swords

And they cost me deep in the purse
And I spent a lot on them

But you will have the better of them
But you will have the advantage

And I will have the worse
And I will be at a disadvantage

And you will strike the very first blow
You will strike the first blow

And strike it like a man
And strike it like a man would

And I will strike the very next blow
And I will strike the next blow

And I'll kill you if I can"
And I'll kill you if I can

So Matty struck the very first blow
So Matty struck the first blow

And he hurt Lord Arland sore
And he injured Lord Arland badly

Lord Arland struck the very next blow
Lord Arland then struck the next blow

And Matty struck no more
And after that blow, Matty was unable to continue

And then Lord Arland took his wife
And then Lord Arland took his wife

And sat her on his knee
And placed her on his lap

Saying, "Who do you like the best of us
Saying, "Who do you prefer?

Matty Groves or me?"
"Matty Groves or me?"

And then up spoke his own dear wife
And then his own wife said

Never heard to speak so free
Never spoke so honestly

"I'd rather a kiss from dead Matty's lips
I would rather kiss Matty's dead lips

Than you or your finery"
Than kiss you or admire your finery

Lord Arland he jumped up
Lord Arland got up quickly

And loudly he did bawl
And shouted loudly

He struck his wife right through the heart
He stabbed his wife in the heart

And pinned her against the wall
And pinned her against the wall

"A grave, a grave," Lord Arland cried
"Dig a grave, dig a grave," Lord Arland cried

To put these lovers in
To bury these lovers

But bury my lady at the top
But bury my lady at the top

She was of noble kin
Because she came from noble bloodlines.

Contributed by Cole C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@yexiliada

5y↑26

A holiday, a holiday,
The first one of the year.
Lord Arlen's wife came into the 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 'til light"

"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 my master's wife."

"What if I am Lord Arlen's wife,
Lord Arlen's not at home.
He is out in the far cornfields,
Bringing the yearlings home."

A servant who was standing by
And hearing what was said,
He swore Lord Arlen he would know
Before the sun would set.

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.

Matty Groves he lay down
And took a little sleep.
When he awoke, Lord Arlen
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?"

"Oh well I like your feather bed
And well I like your sheets,
But better I like your lady wife
Who lies in my arms asleep"

"Well, get up! Get up!" Lord Arlen cried,
"Get up as quick as you can!
It'll never be said in fair England
That I skew 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 but 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 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 Arlen sore.
Lord Arlen struck the very next blow
And Matty struck no more.

And then Lord Arlen he took his wife
And he sat her upon 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 or your finery."

Lord Arlen he jumped up
And loudly he did bawl;
He struck his wife right through the heart
And pinned her against the wall.

"A grave, a grave!" Lord Arlen cried,
"To put these lovers in!
But bury my lady at the top -
She was of noble kin."

@erikacarbonaro9646

5y↑7

Matty Groves

A holiday, a holiday, and the first one of the year
Lord Donald's wife came into the 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"
"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 my master's wife"
"But if I am Lord Donald's wife, Lord Donald's not at home
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 Donald he would know before the sun would set
And in his hurry to carry the news, he bent his breast and ran
And when he came to the broad millstream, he took off his shoes and he swam

Little Matty 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
How do you like my lady 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 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"
"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 Donald sore
Lord Donald struck the very next blow and Matty struck no more
And then Lord Donald 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 or your finery"

Lord Donald he jumped up and loudly he did bawl
He struck his wife right through the heart and pinned her against the wall
"A grave, a grave, " Lord Donald cried, "to put these lovers in
But bury my lady at the top for she was of noble kin.

All comments from YouTube:

@FrancisE.Dec.Esquire

32w

I hve loved this duo Alela Diane & Alina Hardin ever since Youtube started, This is THEE Best cover Maddy Groves.

@juliasharp2857

6y↑7

Something so magical happens when Alela and Alina sing together...it's so beautiful...

@honeychurchgipsy6

6y↑35

lovely version of a beautiful, dark song: I like the fact that I can hear every word - if we can't hear every word something is lost - so well done for singing so beautifully and so clearly. Just one comment: a lot of people on this thread have called this a cover- since this is a traditional song, this is a version rather than a cover.

@eckdolmick5781

32w

Contrast between the lovely vocals and the awful story....😳

@craberisabck

vous êtes trop magnifiques

@valdoazeumo4637

5y↑4

J’adore cette chanson elle est tout simplement magnifique ❤️

@marcmounin3574

4y↑1

Alela tu es trop puissante tu est simplement la meilleure...❤❤❤❤

@marmotta2036

9y↑4

Superbe, le duo est très beau à écouter!

@Oxymoxl

13y↑1

Can't stop listening...

@tomoole

Little Musgrave / Matty Groves - wonderful stuff !!!

@artbeau

10y↑2

Beautiful. I've heard a number of versions of this song. Sometime singers forget they're telling a story. The story is told brilliantly here through subdued instrumentation and beautiful harmonies. Thank you for posting.

@dianaswan4187

I covered this with a reggae-rap tinged flavor

@zzz333ist

14y↑4

GREAT SONG AND VOICES...........!!Greetings from Italy

@cathceil

14y↑2

wow girls that is quite the renditon of matty groves, BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!

@allkindsagirls6117

13y↑13

this song dates back to as early as 17th century for anybody that isn't familiar with this ballad.

@frederikjanssens4941

3y↑1

I know...

@craberisabck

7y↑1

So beautiful song <3
You rule all

@bridgettedovecassese101

7y↑2

One of my favourite songs with a special meaning for me, that captures the essence of past times

@mauriziocarbone3943

Mrs. Alexa Diane: one on my favorite singer-sing writer, wonderful version!

@frederikjanssens4941

Alela Diane: beautiful voice!

@maikschulz9720

7y↑1

wonderful version of this balad

@akist8455

La fantástica versión de Fairport Convention fué la primera que escuché de esta canción

@Keliwinkle

12y↑3

My father always sang this song to me when I was little based on Paul Clayton's version. I've been trying to find other versions and this is by far and away the very best! I listen to it at least once a day. :)

@magenta6754

Stunning

@adangerousboy

Masterful!

@MayGMysticMoon

9y↑1

I so Love this Song!!!

@summerinspringville-hill

9y↑3

What a chilling song

@Smafferfiss

10y↑1

Love this song!!

@Wuei108

Beautyful!

@summerinspringville-hill

9y↑2

The lyrics are so perfectly rhymed

@brainerdboy1177

8y↑1

Excellent, excellent, excellent version of this ballad! For forty years I only knew the version by Fairport Convention. And now I know this one. Thank you for uploading this.

@bensteer3778

Try doc Watson’s version too🤘

@MusiqueMonAmour

7y↑3

Superb and a joy to the ear : )

@eckdolmick5781

Great vocals.

@magenta6754

Wonderful

@CharlesSJohndoe

11y↑2

That is really brilliant.

@chaeleeeworrell2374

11y↑1

great tune :)

@dr.arikgreenberg25

6y↑2

Wow, that was extraordinary! The only version I have ever heard to come close to the Fairport Convention version. These gals are talented!

@davidshaw668

3y↑2

this is absolutely wonderful, have you heard Trees version of Lady Margaret?

@dr.arikgreenberg25

3y↑1

@David Shaw good question. I think I may have heard it. Will have to check.

@chrissturkenboom6080

Me too.

@maikschulz9720

9y↑1

Great performance !

@minouchat1686

7y↑2

good song

@macker33

Wow, this is a good version.

@Mucclia21

7y↑1

Just perfect, I love it! <3

@DrSnake501

8y↑1

J adore

@missyloulawless

9y↑1

great version <3
its an amazing story, sang well enough X

@mixcoyotl

13y↑8

@folkmusicgirl Oh, I'm neither Alela Diane or Alina Hardin. I'm just some guy from Pittsburgh who loves folk music and wanted to share some of my favorites.

@commadanteflet

8y↑6

Very nice, I would recognize this chord progression anywhere. I used to perform "Shady Gove", at least the Doc watson version with this progression. I've also heard him do this song with different melodies. I love the variety of how folk/gospel music tends to float around and it seems like nobody owns it. Such a wonderful version!

@bigggrickkk

Very nice cover

@dirkmendow2985

Remember this from George Gently, but this version ist even better!

@asuka813

13y↑1

Beautiful, other than Emmy Rossum... this is my favourite version! Actually i'd say i like them equally.

@firemoon2309

8y↑2

This is awesome! At the 10 first seconds I was like "wahou, this cover is crazy"

@Hoparound21

9y↑18

This song is so strange for me. On a particularly sad and lonely day, I listened to this song on repeat. This version of this song. It sounded slower and deeper and softer. But nothing was changed about it.... Now It sounds faster, almost rushed. I don't know why. It's the strangest thing.

@EnosEverything

8y↑11

+Rhiannon Brenner ... This is o.k but if you want a real treat listen to the Fairport Convention version with the incomparable voice of the late great Sandy Denny.

@animalloverabh

I know exactly what you mean

@dianaswan4187

6y↑1

this is lovely, but,I do prefer Fairport Convention

@mikkoojala8227

I get the same feeling sometimes. It's a bit odd.

@Airbourne92

You didn't happen to have the playback speed set to 1.25 from a previous video or anything..?

1 More Replies...

@fruitskeletons

8y↑5

Fantastic cover! <3

@MrJaneSCG

สวรรค์ชัดๆ
So country

@ianonufer6988

Well I'm sure no one cares but I stumbled upon this song and thought this was going to pale in comparison to the Fairport convention version. Boy I was wrong these ladies are awesome. I will be looking up more music by them.

@marcirvine351

8y↑1

klasse

@walterwiese2271

Oh yeah. Right up there with Fairport Convention and Doc Watson.

@ryanmann9068

The only version I listen to other than Doc Watson's version, both are amazing!

@evelynshore9489

4y↑1

You should check Fairport Convention’ s version. Still the best.

@leswoodies2

Those are some voices

@loreleifae4730

Whoosh

@ricardoluisbritto

6y↑1

Only great singer ladies of English Language recorded this song : Sandy Denny (Fairpot Convention), Joan Baez and now Alela Diana-Alina. I Cannot judge who is best.

@anderbadexpress

12y↑1

@megatherium01 I strongly suggest you listen to their version....

@folkmusicgirl

13y↑5

Wow! Really, really supurb version of this song. I have heard countless covers of this song and almost didn't want to hear another one....but decided to listen to your version anyway. Very glad I did because I am very impressed with your harmonies and arrangement! I am not familiar with your music until now. Do you have a CD now or plans for one in near future? Do you play in folk clubs?

@yexiliada

5y↑26

@MsChiomaO

wow... thanks for posting the lyrics

@InjuriousPersonalities

4y↑1

”and I *not a pocket knife” not “*but* a pocketknife” he is unarmed lol

@ria1636

1y↑1

@Injurious Personalities Yes, and it's 'slew' a naked man not 'skew'. :)

@ChrisOrganic

13y↑2

Is there an mp3 of this somewhere???

@Glinteye

14y

Think I favor this version over fairports version,it's very pleasant on the ear, love the harp or is it mandolin..?..do you have plans to do other songs of Liege & Lief..?

@BlackStar2161

12y

@bbQizes These are the chords to Fairport Convention's version. I don't know if they're accurate, but it's a start.

@eduardobrandwaiman342

7y↑2

Heard it first by Joan Baez but this is better. Could anyone post the lyrics please?

@WVislandia

You can find the lyrics at this URL: https://genius.com/Alela-diane-matty-groves-lyrics

@MrFolky77

WHAAAT??? lol Joan Baez's version is by far the BEST, the most kick-ass, most definitive version there ever was and there ever will be!!

@somatotrophin1535

No, Fairport is the best. @Da. Greg.

@MrAizakku

8y↑5

Good job, :-). Most versions are so old and the recording quality is depressing. I am happy to see something more recent.

@michaelz-c4178

11/02/2021: she cam out of hiding yesterday. her face shown clear and bright, empty of history

@zepkid5678

14y

i hate to dismiss her band, but I saw Alela and Alina, just the pair of them at the Philadelphia Folk Festival. And the two of them were magical. And this EP just reinforces what I thought, they just have something great as a pair that they lose with the band

@verabaxevanidou7002

9y↑1

@musicaddict123

10y

I think this is the first version I've heard that Lord Arlen kills his wife too. All the other versions I've heard, Lord Arlen/Lord Daniel just kills Matty Goves.

@cymruisrael

10y↑7

You should listen to the Fairport Convention version from the 1969 album "Liege & Lief"

@frankkelch4553

9y↑1

Christy Moore sings a version (that can be heard on youtube) where the wife is also killed.

@MrFolky77

5y↑1

Ok, this was nice! But really... if you don't know it already: y'all MUST discover Joan Baez's version of Matty Groves! The most powerful, most haunting, most out-of-this-world, most definitive version!!

@mixcoyotl

12y

@skritchnsquawk I get that a lot?

@erikacarbonaro9646

5y↑7

@The_Catman

I dare you to find one straight bad guy in this story

@harryrohr4131

9y↑6

I like Doc Watson's version better, but this is damn good

@greenisforganja

13y

@Glinteye its just guitars on this song.

@amacdonald27

13y

@AllKindsaGirls a lot earlier than that

@Peregrin27

12y↑1

I think it's a hammered dulcimer ... sounds beaten :-)

@johnthrelfall5

I thought it might be a spinet and a guitar. Lovely accompaniment!

@bbQizes

12y

Is there anyone who has the chords???

@airbornecoatrack

11y↑1

Ghostly.

@tanet

9y↑5

Matty Groves 8:10 Fairport Convention Liege & Lief 1969 Folk 128 kbps 6 1/4/06 3:43 PM 11/14/14 8:30 PM

@aaronmorse4883

11y

In reality the 17th century was when it was collected but was probably sung centuries before

@Wotsitorlabart

Or probably not.

@mixcoyotl

14y

@Glinteye Nah, I'm not a huge Fairport fan. In fact, I've never even heard their version. Joanie B does a nice version, but it's all, Joanified, if you can stomach that.

@DrSnake501

@SoundzAddict

this matty groves and the girl were punished by the lord for adultery and that is justice! Pray god and don't be disturbed by flesh! Flesh is devil! Think about your eternity, not about your poor life in this world! You don't have to be happy here, just stay with your wife and husband and prepare yourself for your death to come! Loving a man or a woman is useless, just love god! amen!