Now playing

Matty Groves

Chords

4.967 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Cmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

From the album 'Home Again'
[Introduction]
C   Am  F   C
[Verse 1]
twas Amon the high high holy Cday, the very best day in the year.
Little Matty Groves had Amgone to church, Holy words for to hear,
FHoly words for to Chear.
[Verse 2]
The Amfirst to come down was dressed in Cred, and the second one dressed in green.
The third to come down was Lord AmDaniel's wife as fair as any queen,
Just as Ffair as any Cqueen.
[Verse 3]
Then AmMatty Groves says to one of his Cmen "See the fair one dressed in white?
Although she is Lord AmDaniel's wife, I'll be with her tonight, 
I'll Fbe with her toCnight."
[Verse 4]
Well the Amlittle foot page was a'standinCg by and heard every word that was said.
He says "Lord Daniel shall Amknow tonight before I go to bed,
BeFfore I go to Cbed."
[guitar break]
C   Am  F   C
[Verse 5]
He had Amfifteen miles for to go that Cnight and ten of them he run.
He run till he come to the Ambroke down bridge, then he bent to his breast and he swum,
He Fbent to his breast and Che swum.
[Verse 6]
He sAmwum til he come to where the grass was Cgreen, he took to his feet and he run.
He run till he come to Lord AmDaniel's gate, then he rattled at the bells and they rung,
He Frattled at the bells and they Crung.
[Instrumental]
C   Am  F   C
[Verse 7]
"What Amnews? What news?" Lord Daniel Csays, "What news to me have you brung?"
"Little Matty Groves is in the Ambed with your wife and their hearts both beat as one,
And their Fhearts both beat as Cone."
[Verse 8]
"Now Amif the truth you've told to Cme, a rich man you shall be.
But if a lie you've Amtold to me, I'll hang you to a tree,
I'll Fhang you to a Ctree."
[Verse 9]
He gAmathered him up about fCifty good men. He done it with a free good will.
Then he popped his bugle unAmto his lips, and he blowed it loud and shrill,
He Fblowed it loud and Cshrill.
[Verse 10]
"I'd Ambetter get up," said little Matty CGroves,"I'd better get up and go.
I know your husband is a'Amcoming home, for I heared his bugle blow,
I Fheared his bugle Cblow."
[Verse 11]
"Lay Amdown, lay down, my precious Cone lay down and go to sleep.
It's only my father's Amshepherd's horn, and he's a calling for his sheep,
FHe's a calling for his Csheep."
[Instrumental]
C   Am  F   C
[Verse 12]
So Amthey laid down together aCgain, and they soon were fast asleep,
And when they awoke it was Ambroad daylight, Lord Daniel at their feet,
Lord FDaniel at their Cfeet.
[Verse 13]
"Get Amup from there you naked Cman and put you on some clothes.
I never intend for to Amhave it said that a naked man I slew 
That a Fnaked man I Cslew."
[Instrumental]
C   Am  F   C
[Verse 14]
"Oh Amgive me a chance," said little Matty CGroves, "A chance to fight for my life.
For there you have two Amvery fine swords, and me not as much as a knife,
And Fme not as much as a Cknife."
[Verse 15]
"Oh Amyes I have two very fine Cswords, and they cost me deep in the purse.
You may have the Amfinest one, and I will take the worst,
Yes FI will take the Cworst."
[Verse 16]
Then AmMatty Groves struck the very first Click and he wounded Lord Daniel sore.
Lord Daniel struck the Amvery next lick, and he drove Matty Groves to the floor,
He Fdrove Matty Groves to the Cfloor.
[Verse 17]
Then he Amtaken his lady by the Chand and he sat her on his knee.
And he says, "Now which do you Amlove the best? Little Matty Groves or me?
Little FMatty Groves or Cme?"
[Verse 18]
"Very Amwell I like your rosy Ccheeks, very well I like your chin.
But better I love little AmMatty Groves than you and all of your kin,
Than Fyou and all of your Ckin.
[Verse 19]
"You can Amdig my grave on a pretty green Chill, dig it wide and deep.
And put little Matty Groves Amin my arms Lord Daniel at my feet,
Lord FDaniel at my Cfeet."

All chords in this song (3)

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Matty Groves

by Doc Watson

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

From the album 'Home Again'

[Introduction]

C Am F C

[Verse 1]

Am C

twas on the high high holy day, the very best day in the year.

Little Matty Groves had gone to church, Holy words for to hear,

F C

Holy words for to hear.

[Verse 2]

Am C

The first to come down was dressed in red, and the second one dressed in green.

The third to come down was Lord Daniel's wife as fair as any queen,

F C

Just as fair as any queen.

[Verse 3]

Am C

Then Matty Groves says to one of his men "See the fair one dressed in white?

Although she is Lord Daniel's wife, I'll be with her tonight,

F C

I'll be with her tonight."

[Verse 4]

Am C

Well the little foot page was a'standing by and heard every word that was said.

He says "Lord Daniel shall know tonight before I go to bed,

F C

Before I go to bed."

[guitar break]

C Am F C

[Verse 5]

Am C

He had fifteen miles for to go that night and ten of them he run.

He run till he come to the broke down bridge, then he bent to his breast and he swum,

F C

He bent to his breast and he swum.

[Verse 6]

Am C

He swum til he come to where the grass was green, he took to his feet and he run.

He run till he come to Lord Daniel's gate, then he rattled at the bells and they rung,

F C

He rattled at the bells and they rung.

[Instrumental]

C Am F C

[Verse 7]

Am C

"What news? What news?" Lord Daniel says, "What news to me have you brung?"

"Little Matty Groves is in the bed with your wife and their hearts both beat as one,

F C

And their hearts both beat as one."

[Verse 8]

Am C

"Now if the truth you've told to me, a rich man you shall be.

But if a lie you've told to me, I'll hang you to a tree,

F C

I'll hang you to a tree."

[Verse 9]

Am C

He gathered him up about fifty good men. He done it with a free good will.

Then he popped his bugle unto his lips, and he blowed it loud and shrill,

F C

He blowed it loud and shrill.

[Verse 10]

Am C

"I'd better get up," said little Matty Groves,"I'd better get up and go.

I know your husband is a'coming home, for I heared his bugle blow,

F C

I heared his bugle blow."

[Verse 11]

Am C

"Lay down, lay down, my precious one lay down and go to sleep.

It's only my father's shepherd's horn, and he's a calling for his sheep,

F C

He's a calling for his sheep."

[Instrumental]

C Am F C

[Verse 12]

Am C

So they laid down together again, and they soon were fast asleep,

And when they awoke it was broad daylight, Lord Daniel at their feet,

F C

Lord Daniel at their feet.

[Verse 13]

Am C

"Get up from there you naked man and put you on some clothes.

I never intend for to have it said that a naked man I slew

F C

That a naked man I slew."

[Instrumental]

C Am F C

[Verse 14]

Am C

"Oh give me a chance," said little Matty Groves, "A chance to fight for my life.

For there you have two very fine swords, and me not as much as a knife,

F C

And me not as much as a knife."

[Verse 15]

Am C

"Oh yes I have two very fine swords, and they cost me deep in the purse.

You may have the finest one, and I will take the worst,

F C

Yes I will take the worst."

[Verse 16]

Am C

Then Matty Groves struck the very first lick and he wounded Lord Daniel sore.

Lord Daniel struck the very next lick, and he drove Matty Groves to the floor,

F C

He drove Matty Groves to the floor.

[Verse 17]

Am C

Then he taken his lady by the hand and he sat her on his knee.

And he says, "Now which do you love the best? Little Matty Groves or me?

F C

Little Matty Groves or me?"

[Verse 18]

Am C

"Very well I like your rosy cheeks, very well I like your chin.

But better I love little Matty Groves than you and all of your kin,

F C

Than you and all of your kin.

[Verse 19]

Am C

"You can dig my grave on a pretty green hill, dig it wide and deep.

And put little Matty Groves in my arms Lord Daniel at my feet,

F C

Lord Daniel at my feet."

About Matty Groves Chords by Doc Watson

Learn how to play Matty Groves by Doc Watson with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Matty Groves chords”, “Matty Groves guitar chords”, or “Doc Watson Matty Groves chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Matty Groves chords and for experienced players who want accurate Matty Groves lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, Am, F, A.

FAQ — Matty Groves by Doc Watson

How do I play "Matty Groves" by Doc Watson on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Matty Groves" by Doc Watson on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Matty Groves" by Doc Watson free?

Yes. The chords for "Matty Groves" by Doc Watson are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Matty Groves" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Matty Groves" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Matty Groves"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Matty Groves" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Matty Groves" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Matty Groves" by Doc Watson with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Doc Watson below.

What key is "Matty Groves" in?

The chords for "Matty Groves" show the original chord names (including C, Am, F, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.