The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #98210   Message #3959958
Posted By: Joe Offer
03-Nov-18 - 08:52 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Matt Hyland
Subject: ADD Version: Matt Hyland
Here's another broadside from Bodleian, just a bit different (and a bit more clear). It's identified as number 11995.

MAT HYLAND

There was a lord lived in this town,
He had a handsome comely daughter,
Who fell in love with a young man,
He was a servant to her father,
But when the lord he came to hear,
He swore he'd make him quit the island,
And the lady felt her heart would break,
If she would part with young Mat Hyland.

The Lord discoursed the lady fair,
One night within her lonely chamber,
Saying, young Hyland I'll transport afar,
I'm afraid my child she stands in danger;
This lady gay in ambush lay,
With grief oppressed she lay repining;
She says, my father I'll deceive,
And I'll protect my own Mat Hyland.

Straight she went to her true love,
Demanding him for to awaken,
Arise, my dear, and go away,
For this very night you will be taken,
Last night I heard my father say,
In spite of fate he would transport you,
So rise, my dear, before 'tis day,
You know, my darling, I adore you.

How can I go, my dear, he says,
Like a poor forlorn stranger,
Must I leave my servitude,
Or will I go without my wages,
Here's fifty guineas in bright gold,
That's more than all my father owes you,
So rise, my dear, and go your way,
And I wish to God I went before you.

When Mat Hyland the purse received,
They kissed, shook hands, and parted,
She says, Mat, you're going from me,
In sorrow to leave me broken-hearted.
She turned then into her room,
And for some time she lay repining,
She says, no duke nor lord I'll wed,
Since you are gone from me, Mat Hyland.

The lord he said to his daughter fair,
I did not know how dear you loved him,
I will give you leave to bring him here,
Since there is none you style above him,
She wrote a letter off with speed,
To him her heart it was inclined,
Then to church this couple went,
And she made a lord of young Mat Hyland.