- Written by
- [Traditional]
- Publication date
- 1607
- Language
- English
- Comments
-
This ballad is collected as Child 81 and Roud 52. The first publication date of the earliest known extant broadside of this ballad actually occurred between 1607 and 1641, the years in which its publisher, Henry Gosson, was in business. A verse from the ballad is also used in a play by Beaumont and Fletcher entitled "Knight of the Burning Pestle" circa 1611, although the ballad may date back to as early as the 13th century.
Lady Barnard convinces Little Musgrave to sleep with her as her husband is away. Lord Barnard returns unexpectedly, kills Little Musgrave in a duel and his wife thereafter after she states a preference for the dead Musgrave. In some versions Lord Barnard commits suicide. Although some have speculated the ballad may be based on a historical event, no real evidence of this has been offered.
This is a very popular folk ballad that is found in Great Britan, Ireland, Canada, the United States and Jamaica. The many versions of the ballad show much variation in the name of the lord (for whom this song is sometimes named) and the lowly lover, often named "Matty Groves", another title under which this ballad is well known. - Licensing
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Versions
Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard written by [Traditional] English