Saw this old thread and remembered something a Tennessee storyteller told me about Shady Grove. She didn't have the lyrics, but says the story of the "old-time" lyrics told of a man leaving his wife for a young girl, (15 years or younger we ARE talking the mountains here) The storyteller said there were two version one the man kills the wife and leaves with Shady Grove--the other he kills Shady Grove, after one last fling. The killing is so he can stop thinking about her (her=Shady Grove). The kinder variation sends Shady Grove home--the Harlan line?? maybe??

Anyway, I want those lyrics....

md