Matt Hyland

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

So straight away to her love she goes
Into his room to awake him
Saying: “Arise my love and go away
This very night you will be taken
I overheard my parents say
In spite of me they will transport you
So arise my love and go away
I wish to God I’d gone before you”

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

The lord discoursed with his daughter fair
One night alone in her chamber
Saying: “We’ll give you leave for to bring him back
Since there’s no one can win your favour”
She wrote a letter then in haste
Her heart for him was still repining
They brought him back, to the church they went
And made a lord of young Matt Hyland