Here is Cas Wallin's version of "Pretty Saro" that was recorded by John Cohen and Peter Gott in August, 1963, and released by Folkways Records as OLD LOVE SONGS AND BALLADS FROM THE BIG LAUREL, NORTH CAROLINA, (Album No. 2309).

When I first come to this country in 1849
I saw many fair lovyers, but I never saw mine
I view-ed all around me, I found I was quite alone
And me a poor stranger and a long ways from home.

My true love she won't have me, as this I understand
She wants a freeholder and I've got no land
But I can maintain her on silver and gold
And as many of the fine things that my love's house could hold.

It's I wish I was a poet and could write some fine hand
I would write my love a letter that she might understand
And I'd send it by the waters when the islands overflow
And I'd think of my darling wherever she goes.

It's I wish I was a turtle dove, had wings and could fly
Just now to my love's lodging tonight I'd draw nigh
And in her lily white arms I would lie there all night
And I'd watch them little windows for the dawning of day.

Way down in a lonesome valley, way down in a lonesome grove
Where the small birds doth whistle, her notes to increase
My love she is slender, both proper and neat
And I wouldn't have no better pastimes than to be with my sweet.

Well I strolled through the mountains, I strolled through the plain
I strove to forget her, but it was all in vain
On the banks of Old Cowee, on the mound of said brow
Where I once loved her dearly and I don't hate her now.
------------------

Here is Doug Wallin's version, from DOUG AND JACK WALLIN, FAMILY SONGS AND STORIES FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS, Smithsonian Folkways :

I came to this country in 1849,
Saw many a true lover but I never saw mine,
Then I viewed all around me and found myself alone,
And me a poor stranger, and a long ways from home.

My true love won't have me, this I understand,
She wants a freeholder, but I have no land,
Though I could maintain her on silver and gold,
And all the other fine things that her heart might behold.

It's not this long journey I'm dreading to go,
Nor the country I'm leaving, nor the debts that I owe,
But nothing so grieves me, nor troubles my mind,
Like leaving my darling, pretty Saro behind.

If I was a poet and could write a fine hand,
I would write my love a letter that she might understand,
And send it by the water when the islands o'erflow,
And think of pretty Saro wherever she'd go.

If I was a little dove, had wings and could fly,
To my true lover's dwelling this night I'd draw nigh,
In her lily white arms all night I would stay,
And watch them little windows for the dawning of day.

Sheila Kay Adams' tune and phrasing is almost exactly the same as that of Cas Wallin and she has picked up phrasing and a verse from Doug Wallin as well. She has said that she liked Doug Wallin's singing of these old love songs the best.

------

And here is Mary Sands' version that she sang for Cecil Sharp on August 5, 1916, at Allanstand, N.C. She was Doug Wallin's Great Aunt and Cas Wallin's Aunt and Sheila Kay Adams Great-Great Aunt (I think!).

When I first came to this country in eighteen and forty-nine,
I saw many fair lovers, but I never saw mine;
I view it all around me, I found myself lone,
And me a poor stranger and a long way from home.

My love she won't love me, yes, I do understand,
She wants a freeholder and I've got no land,
But plenty to maintain her on, silver and gold,
And as many other fine things as my love's house can hold.

Farewell to my mother and adieu to my old father, too,
I am going to ramble this whole world all through;
And when I get tired I'll set down and weep
And think of my darling, pretty Saro, my sweet.

Down in some lonesome vallely, down in some lone place,
Where the small birds do whistle their notes to increase;
But when I get sorrow, I'll set down and cry
And think of my darling, my darling so nigh.

I wish I were a poet and could write some fine hand,
I would write my love a letter that she might understand;
I would send it by the water where the island overflow,
And I'd think of my darling wherever I go.

I wish I were a dove and had wings and could fly;
This night to my love's window I would draw nigh,
And in her lily-white arms all night I would lay
And watch them little windows to the dawning of day.

The tune given by Sharp for Sands' version is quite close to that sung by both Wallins, Sheila and Iris Dement. One can see here how this song has come down through at least four generations. So Iris Dement's version is very traditional, that tradition coming from the Sodom Laurel country of Madison County, North Carolina.