Matt Hyland

There was a lord lived in this town who had a fair and lovely daughter She was courted by a handsome man who was a servant to her father But when her parents came to know, they swore they'd ban him from the island This maid, she knew that her heart would break, had she to part with young Matt Hyland Straightway to her love she went and then into his room to wake 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 would transport you Arise, my love, and go away, I wish to God I'd gone before you" They both sat down all upon the bed all for the sight of one another And not one word did either speak 'til down her cheeks the tears did shower She laid her head upon his breast, around his neck her arms entwined then "No duke nor earl nor lord I'll wed, I'll wait for you, my own Matt Hyland" "How can I go away, my love? How can I go without my wages? Without one penny of my own, just like some low and lonesome vagrant?" "Here's twenty guineas in bright gold, that's far much more than Father owes you Take it, love, and go away, you know right well I do adore you" The lord conversed with his daughter fair one night above in her bed chamber Saying, "I'll give you leave for to bring him back, since there's no one can win your favor" She wrote a letter in great haste, for him her heart was still repining They brought him back, to the church they went, and made a lord of young Matt Hyland 1