Matt Hyland

There was a lord lived in this town
Who had a handsome lovely daughter
She was courted by a fair young man
Who was a servant to her father
But when her parents came to know
They swore they'd send him from the island
The maid she knew her heart would break
And she to part with young Matt Hyland

Straightway unto her love she goes
Into his room him to awaken
Saying, Arise my love and go away
This very night you will be taken
I overheard my father say
In spite of me he would transport you
So arise my love and go away
This very night you will be taken

Oh must I go, he says to her
Oh must I go without my wages
Without a penny in my purse
Just like some poor forlorn stranger
Here's fifty guineas in bright gold
And that's far more than father owes you
So take it now and go away
I wish to God I'd gone before you

They both sat down upon the bed
Just for the side of half one hour
And not a word did either speak
But down their cheeks the tears did shower
She laid her head upon his breast
As round his neck her arms entwined
Not a duke nor lord nor earl I'll wed
I'll wait for you my own Matt Hyland

The lord discussed with his daughter fair
One night alone in her bedchamber
Saying, I give you leave to bring him back
Since there's no-one your style above him
She wrote a letter then in haste
For him her heart was still repining
She brought him back to the church they went
And made a lord of young Matt Hyland