Matty Groves - anyone seen him?

[clive]

Interesting question from a mate's three year old;

What does Matty Groves look like?  (other than little)

Mrs C reckons long brown hair, white farmers' smock, manly sweat glistening on his chest sort of thing. (I think she's been at the Steve Knightley CDs again). I always had him as a less scruffy version of Baldrick.

Do any of the alternative versions shed more light or what image do you have when you hear it?

[Pugwash]

Ah now I know a bit about this. You know that chappie that did the runner to let the ole lord know about the hanky panky, well a drawin was needed the lord being a rough tough sort of bloke and here it is




You'll notice the Lady has taken her teeth out them bein quite expensive in them days.

[Jan_]

For me, Matty Groves has shoulder-length light brown/dark blonde curly hair.  He is clean-shaven and wears a white collarless shirt and green neckerchief, brownish trousers and knee-length boots. 

That probably sets him in a particular period of history which is probably incorrect.  When is the song set, by the way?  Are there any clues?

And what about the other characters?  How do you imagine those?

[Sandra]

I always imagine him to be like a young Swarb.

[Pugwash]

Apparently it was first published in 1658 (please don't do the nearly teatime joke)

[gower flower (Shirl)]

I always imagine him to be like a young Swarb.

And Swarb in his younger days was very cute!

[Jan_]

I always imagine him to be like a young Swarb.

How about Matty Groves the Musical for Cropredy 2007?   Swarb as Matty, Simon as Lord Arnold and Vikki Clayton as Lady Arnold (the long hair seems right)!  Now, who could be the servant?

[Tasha]

I always imagine him to be like a young Swarb.

And Swarb in his younger days was very cute!

Wasn't he just

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Anji]

I always imagine him to be like a young Swarb.

And Swarb in his younger days was very cute!

Wasn't he just

Blimeyheck! There's a lot of trouser  

I remember when Swarb (in particular) looked like that.

[Pugwash]

Ahh saw this line a few times. I always refer to it as the cornflakes period!

[abby (tank girl)]

Blimeyheck! There's a lot of trouser  
.

i was thinking the exact same thing, anji!!!
much trouserage!

[Sandra]

Sigh. Thats how it was then. All hair and trousers. I don't know how we survived.

But back to Matty - who would his lady be?

Sandra

[greglin (Gregg)]

I always reckoned a sort of lusty rustic - although for some reason the picture of Richard Harris as Cromwell springs to mind - although a bit less manicured and barbered...........

And the lady - definitely no shrinking violet - randy and aristocratic with a bit of fire - ( anyone we know ) - I reckoned either Fergie ( no, not Alex ) or possibly a young Joanna Lumley...........

[PLW (Peter)]

The only known facts about him are

a. he's little
b. he's a servant of Lord and Lady Darnell
c. he doesn't own a pocket knife
d. he can wield a "beaten sword" well enough to hurt a man, but not kill him
e. for the latter half of the song, he's naked.

Everything else is supposition. But Lady D must have been quite something, if she was prepared to risk everything for a quick shag with a little wekling like that.

[fat Billy(Bill)]

The only known facts about him are

a. he's little
b. he's a servant of Lord and Lady Darnell
c. he doesn't own a pocket knife
d. he can wield a "beaten sword" well enough to hurt a man, but not kill him
e. for the latter half of the song, he's naked.

Everything else is supposition. But Lady D must have been quite something, if she was prepared to risk everything for a quick shag with a little wekling like that.

oh yeah and he's dead and buried underneath his lady

[Tasha]

Fascinating version of this you can hear sung by Mrs. Pearl Brewer, Pocahontas, Arkansas on November 12, 1958 totally different tune but vaguely similar words..

verse1
There is two gold rings on your right hand
And you are Lord Arnolds wife........


VERSE 2
And little footy page for standing by
And he taken to his heels an' run
He run and he run, till he reached th broad water side
And he fell upon his breast and swum

VERSE 3
He swum an' he swum, till he reached dry land
And he taken to his heels an' run
He run and he run, till he reached Lord Arnold

VERSE 4
Little Matty Groves gone home with your wife
And a bed feller he shall be

VERSE 5
If this be true, my little footy page
Those news you come tell unto me
I have one daughter in this wide world
And a married man you shall be

VERSE 6
But if this be a lie, my little footy page
Those news you come tell unto me
I'll build me a scaffold, ten feet high
And a hangmun you shall be

VERSE 7
Get up, get up, my little Matty Groves
An' put your clothing on
For it's not to be said, after I am dead
That I slew a man in the bed

[greglin (Gregg)]

Police investigating a double murder have named one of the victims as one Matthew Groves, who worked as a home help, lately of Darnell Castle. The victim is simply described as "young" and "little" , with no distinguishing marks other than a substantial wound, thought to have been inflicted with a sharp metal object. Post mortem examination shows evidence of recent sexual activity.

The other victim was socialite and "B" list celebrity Lady Darnell, for whom no description was available. Initial police reports show that she had been pinned against a wall by an expensive sword. Post mortem examination revealed evidence of recent sexual activity.

Both victims had been buried in a shallow grave. Both were naked with Lady Darnell on top. The coroner had difficulty in removing the satisfied smiles from their faces.

A man has been taken in for questioning.

One police officer said " The world has surely lost its head, the news is full of crime, There's robbery in the Telegraph and murder in the Times". However this statement has been denied by the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, who insists it is entirely inappropriate in this murder case.........................

[fat Billy(Bill)]

ROTFLMAO
 

[Pastieboy (Trev)]

This could have been him with a little fore sight?

[attachment deleted by admin]