Nic Jones Little Musgrave

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'Little Musgrave' from Nic Jones' album 'Ballads and Songs', released in 1970. • Little Musgrave is an old English folk ballad, dating back to at least the 17th century. Nic wrote in the album notes: Musgrave's tune is more a creation of my own than anything else, although the bulk of it is based on an American variant of the same ballad, entitled, Little Matty Groves. It is also part of the Child Ballads. It is sometimes titled Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard . • • ---------------------------------------- • Lyrics: • As it fell out upon a day • As many in the year • Musgrave to the church did go • To see fair ladies there • And some came down in red velvet • And some came down in Pall • And the last to come down was the Lady Barnard • The fairest of them all • She's cast a look on the Little Musgrave • As bright as the summer sun • And then bethought this Little Musgrave • This lady's love I've won • Good-day good-day you handsome youth • God make you safe and free • What would you give this day Musgrave • To lie one night with me • oh, I dare not for my lands, lady • I dare not for my life • For the ring on your white finger shows • You are Lord Barnard's wife • Lord Barnard's to the hunting gone • And I hope he'll never return • And you shall sleep into his bed • And keep his lady warm • There's nothing for to fear Musgrave • You nothing have to fear • I'll set a page outside the gate • To watch til morning clear • And woe be to the little footpage • And an ill death may he die • For he's away to the green wood • As fast as he could fly • And when he came to the wide water • He fell on his belly and swam • And when he came to the other side • He took to his heels and ran • And when he came to the green wood • 'Twas dark as dark can be • And he found Lord Barnard and his men • Asleep beneath the trees • Rise up rise up Master he said • Rise up and speak to me • Your wife's in bed with Little Musgrave • Rise up right speedily • If this be truth you tell to me • Then gold shall be your fee • And if it be false you tell to me • Then hangéd you shall be • Go saddle me the black he said • Go saddle me the grey • And sound you not the horn said he • Lest our coming it would betray • Now there was a man in Lord Barnard's train • Who loved the Little Musgrave • And he blew his horn both loud and shrill • Away! Musgrave Away! • Oh, I think I hear the morning cock • I think I hear the jay • I think I hear Lord Barnard's horn • Away Musgrave Away • Oh, Lie still, lie still, you little Musgrave • And keep me from the cold • It's nothing but a shepherd boy • Driving his flock to the fold • Is not your hawk upon its perch • Your steed is eating hay • And you a gay lady in your arms • And yet you would away • So he's turned him right and round about • And he fell fast asleep • And when he woke Lord Barnard's men • Were standing at his feet • And how do you like my bed Musgrave • And how do you like my sheets • And how do you like my fair lady • That lies in your arms asleep • Oh, It's well I like your bed he said • And well I like your sheets • And better I like your fair lady • That lies in my arms asleep • Get up, get up young man he said • Get up as swift as you can • For it never will be said in my country • I slew an unarmed man • I have two swords in one scabbard • Full dear they cost me purse • And you shall have the best of them • I shall have the worst • And So slowly, so slowly he rose up • And slowly he put on • And slowly down the stairs he goes • A-Thinking to be slain • And the first stroke Little Musgrave took • It was both deep and sore • And down he fell at Barnard's feet • And word he never spoke more • And how do you like his cheeks, lady • And how do you like his chin • And how do you like his fair body • Now there's no life within • It's well I like his cheeks she said • And well I like his chin • And better I like his fair body • Than all your kith and kin • And he's taken up his long long sword • To strike a mortal blow • And through and through the Lady's heart • The cold steel it did go • As it fell out upon a day • As many in the year • Musgrave to the church did go • To see fair ladies there • ---------------------------------------- • All credit goes to Nic Jones. I only put the music and images together for promotion, so Youtube can enjoy this great artist. For more of his fantastic music, consider buying his albums to support Nic Jones (who can no longer perform). I upload some of his songs from the albums that have only been released on vinyl. These are no longer available, and as far as I know there are no plans to release them on CD. For the albums that were released on CD, see http://www.nicjones.net/shop

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