YOUNG MATHYLAND

There was a lord lived in this town
He had a fair and only daughter
She fell in love with a young man
Who was a servant of her father

When the old lord came this to know
He swore that he should leave this island
The lady said her heart would break
If she was parted from Mathyland

The lord unto his lady said
One night within their own bed chamber
Now young Mathyland I'll transport
For I fear our daughter is in danger

His lady gay in ambush lay
For grief so great she lay repining
She said my father I'll deceive
And I shall wed my young Mathyland

She went to her lover's bedside
Commanding him for to awaken
Arise my love and go away
Or else this night you will be taken

The lord unto his daughter said
I did not know you loved him
I give you leave to bring me back
As there is none you prize above him

They had a wedding so they say
The gayest one in all the island
They went to church and then straightway
He made a lord of young Mathyland.


Young Mathyland was one of many songs recorded by Lena Bourne Fish for the Flanders Ballad Collection. Gordon Bok sings it on Irish Songs from Old New England: Traditional Irish-American Songs from the Flanders Ballad Coolection Songs, Folk-Legacy CD-132.