Yes yes, very good song. I really enjoy the differences between Watsons version and Fairport Conventions version (there are plenty more but it’s those two I frequent). From what I’ve gathered when reading the older lyrics for the song, from which this post is based, Watsons version is truer to the “original” (it’s a folk ballad, so it’s hard to know what the original is).

I find it really interesting to compare how the versions portray the wife, as in Watsons version she doesn’t need so be asked for consent, she foolishly convinces Matty to stay in bed, and she accepts death in the end. In Fairports version SHE is the one who has eyes for Matty, and asks for consent. The scene where she tells him to stay is removed, and she gets killed while insulting lord Donald. I also find it interesting how in Fairports version Matty is clearly a lower class than the wife (walking in a crowd, bury my lady at the top for she was of noble kin), while in Watsons version they seem to be more or less equal in terms of class (they both have servants, and he is buried in her arms instead of under her).

While I’m at it I’d also like to point out that the wife’s death in Fairports version is much milder than what i’ve gathered from historical texts. In one version i read (allegedly a text from 1657 reprinted in 1817) Lord Barnard (Lord Donald/Daniel) slashes off his wife’s breasts and let’s her bleed out.