Origins: Shady Grove - what verses do you use?

Subject: ADD Version: Shady Grove
From: lloyd61
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 02:27 AM

As with so many great folk songs, Shady Grove has evolved over the years. I personally must have heard a hundred verses in my life. The verses below are the verses I wrote to represent my life. What verses do you use?

SHADY GROVE

chorus
Shady Grove, my little love,
Shady Grove I know.
Shady Grove, my little love,
I'm bound for Shady Grove.

Wish I had a little Girl,
someone to share my life.
Wish I had a little Girl,
I could call my wife.

Wish I had a little Girl,
To sit upon my Knee.
Wish I had a little Girl,
who'd call me Daddy.

Wish I had a little Girl,
As pretty as her Ma.
Wish I had a little Girl,
Who would call me her Grandpa.

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: catspaw49
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 02:41 AM

CLICK HERE for a fun discussion of Shady's brother Matty**BG** You'll enjoy it!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: catspaw49
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 02:50 AM

Whupped up didn't I??? Well just enter Matty Grove in the filter box and refresh fo one year.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: Dani
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 08:56 AM

Shady Grove, my little love, Shady Grove my dear
Shady Grove, my little love, I'm bound to leave you here.

Wish I had a fine little horse and corn to feed him on
wish I had pretty little girl to miss me when I'm gone.


There's more in my head but I haven't had my coffee yet.

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: lloyd61
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 09:24 AM

Spaw....

Thanks for the tip. I found "Mathy Grove" to be a Rare Jewel

Lloyd

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: catspaw49
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 12:22 PM

Great lloyd...Knew you'd like it!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: bunkerhill
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 01:10 PM

Mind if I borrow yours, Lloyd? Granddaughter on my knee is such a happy thought. Until I read yours, my favorite version was "Shady Grove, my little love, Shady Grove my darlin', Shady Grove, my little love, gonna send you back to Harlan'"

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: catspaw49
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 01:19 PM

Which reminds me lloyd---What news on your daughter?

Sorry for the thread creep.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 02:31 PM

Markf, what kind of unforgiveable sin did she commit that he's going to send her back to Harlan? That's cruel and unusual punishment, Buddy!

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: CLETUS
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 02:40 PM

Well dangit Mr. Lonesome, me an Paw allus kinda liked it down in Harlan. Itz a reel fine place to git yersef some gud shine an dun-rite ass whuppin.

CLETUS

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 03:42 PM

Cletus... actually there's nothing wrong with Harlan. In fact, I plan to attend the Intermarriage Festival there this year on Valentine's Day. While there, I'll be sure and take in the Miss Rusted-out Pickup Truck Contest, and the Roadkill Banquet. Now go get a warsh rag and clean the rest of that Fudgecicle off of your chin.

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: wildlone
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 03:56 PM

Bugger aar thic Harlan zounds like her may be vun

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: lloyd61
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 06:53 PM

Markf … I would be honored if you used any part of my version of Shady Grove.

Maia update will be latter tonight, Thanks for asking.

Will be back soon.

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: bunkerhill
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 08:35 PM

Lonesome, if that festival is the one where foreplay runs along the lines of "psst, sis, you awake?" wouldn't it be intra-marriage? Anyhow, didn't mean to mislead you, I can't claim authorship of the "darlin-Harlan" rhyme. I don't remember where I heard it, but I think the McGarrigles might have been picking up on same version in "Going Back to Harlan." I visited Harlan last year, partly out of musical curiosity (sourcepoint of inspiration for Which Side Are You On, Nine-pound Hammer, Going Back to Harlan) but spent most of my time admiring Mary Rockwell Hook's architecture and the herb collection at Pine Mountain Settlement School. I'd go back, even if it meant a taste of "the other other white meat: possum."

Subject: ADD Version: Shady Grove
From: Banjoman_CO
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 08:58 PM

Well, for what's its worth, here is my version of Shady grove.

SHADY GROVE

You ought to see my shady grove
I brung her from the south
The hair's so tight on the top of her head,
She can't even close her mouth

CHORUS:
Shady Grove, my little love,
Shady grove, I know
Shady Grove, my little love,
I'm bound to Shady Grove.

I took her to the barber shop,
to get her mouth made small,
She opened her mouth to take a breath,
And swallowed the barber and all.

Her head is like an old tea pot,
Her nose is like the spout,
Her mouth is like an old fireplace,
With the ashes all raked out.



Well, Cats, there it is.

Banjoman

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: mary
Date: 05 Dec 99 - 11:11 PM

Shady Grove, my little love, Shady Grove I say Shady Grove, my little love, I'm bound to go away 1 went to see my little Shady Grove she was standing by the door, shoes and her stockin's in her hand, little bare feet on the floor 2 When I was a little boy I wanted a Barlow knife, now I want Shady Grove to say she'll be my wife 3 I wish I had me a big fine horse and corn to feed him all And Shady Grove to stay at home and feed him while I'm gone 4 Cheeks the color of a bloomin' rose and eyes of the prettiest brown, She's the darlin' of my heart, prettiest gal in town 5 A kiss from pretty little Shady Grove is sweeter than brandy wine, Ain't no girl in this whole world that's prettier than mine.

Subject: ADD Verses: Shady Grove
From: Gypsy
Date: 18 Feb 02 - 11:30 AM

Let's have some more:

Peaches in the simmertime
Apples in the fall
If I can't have the girl I love
I don't want none at all

Wish I had a banjo string
Made of golden twine
Everytime I played a tune
I'd wish that girl was mine

Some come here to fiddle and dance
Some come here to tarry
Some come here to fiddle and dance
I come here to marry

Lets have some more verses!

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: Les B
Date: 18 Feb 02 - 01:17 PM

I recently had an interesting discussion with a band-mate about which melody for Shady Grove is the oldest: the one that has the minor chord progression (ie, Em-D-Em-G-Em-D, etc.), which I first heard as a folk tune in the 60's, or the one that bluegrassers do, which is a major chord progression (G-D-G, etc.), but has a definite old timey sound. Do any of you Mudcatters know which is the older ??

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: 53
Date: 18 Feb 02 - 05:53 PM

I just heard Ricky Skaggs and Ralph Stanley do this song about 4 weeks ago on the Grand Ole Opry and I liked the version that they did.

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: GUEST,Pied Piper
Date: 19 Feb 02 - 05:34 AM

Hi folks I play Shady Grove on the Highland Pipes and it fits very nicely.The version I play is the old time version I think,which is pentatonic in the A music but not in the B.The B part goes one note above the range of the pipes so I've had to do a bit of re-arrangement.Old Joe Clark also goes well, and I play them as a set.

PS I think my interpretation is strongly influanced by Fairports Matty Groves.

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: M.Ted
Date: 19 Feb 02 - 02:19 PM

When called upon, I used to interpolate the following line (of my own creation):

"I drank a lot of Ripple wine,,
and smoked a lot of weed,
I'm goin' back to Shady Grove ,
to find the girl I need,

and I would slip this in as well:

Ev'rybody's in the trees,,
feeding pigeons on a limb ,
But when Quinn the Eskimo gets here,
All the pigeons gonna run to him.,

I had to do something to stretch it out--at a bluegrass tempo, you run out of lyrics fast--

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: Gypsy
Date: 19 Feb 02 - 02:22 PM

Verses, guys, verses! Anyone got some more out there? Preferably the ones NOT referring to the barefoot girl. Have feminist friend who loves tune, but not barefoot pregnant girls! Thanks, all

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 19 Feb 02 - 07:04 PM

...and just who said she was pregnant? That's how rumors get started, so SHUSH.

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: John Hardly
Date: 19 Feb 02 - 09:59 PM

"...which melody for Shady Grove is the oldest: the one that has the minor chord progression (ie, Em-D-Em-G-Em-D, etc.), which I first heard as a folk tune in the 60's, or the one that bluegrassers do, which is a major chord progression (G-D-G, etc.), but has a definite old timey sound. Do any of you Mudcatters know which is the older ??"

Interesting question Les. My guess would be neither, but the minor would sound closer. I guess this because, from what I was taught, it was originally played in a modal tuning.

I play the most interesting version I've ever heard *grin* ----- I play it in DropD tuning like;

[Dm]Shady Grove my li'l [Am7] love,
[Dm]Shady Grove I say,
[F]Shady Grove [C] my li'l love
[Am}I'm comin' home to [G(5)] stay.

The melody fits easily under your fingers in little hammer-ons and pull offs and the surprise ending in G is quite satisfying.

Also, agreed, with kytrad -- nothin' 'bout barefoot and pregnant. Just barefoot.

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: Les B
Date: 19 Feb 02 - 11:18 PM

John Hardly - Thanks, I'll have to drop my D and try that progression.

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: GUEST,jonnylately
Date: 20 Feb 02 - 07:56 AM

wish I was in my shady grove singin to the breeze your hair upon me soft and brown sunlight through the trees

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: GUEST,jonnylately
Date: 20 Feb 02 - 10:37 AM

Gypsy, just purchased an ebay stradolin, looks like good wood, on fire and all, maybe even carved. Looks like one of the earliest models. ANybody know when stradolins first appeared? may contact me via this message board or [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: Gypsy
Date: 20 Feb 02 - 11:10 AM

Okay, okay, shouldn't have added pregnant! Ooooppps! Jonnylately, like your verse, will add it to the collection. As it happens, the handsome mando player in my life also got a stradolin off of ebay. He loves it....turns out that it was one of their presentation models,and is solid wood. If yours turns out to be plywood...remember that at one time that was handmade, and had great sound. It was often used as a more stable wood, and nothing to look down upon. Will take a look thru old threads....think i posted the same question when we got one. But i think you'll be very pleased with it, they were a real sleeper.

Subject: ADD Verses: Shady Grove
From: John Hardly
Date: 20 Feb 02 - 12:08 PM

If I had a needle and thread,
Fine as I could sew
I'd sew my pretty girl to my side
And down the road I'd go.

Had a banjo made of gold,
Every string would shine
The only song that it would play is
Wish that girl was mine

When You go to catch a fish
Use a hook and line
When you fall for country gals
You'll never look back behind.

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: Gypsy
Date: 20 Feb 02 - 11:00 PM

Good one, John. Thanks ever so much.

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From:
Date: 29 May 02 - 05:40 PM

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

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: GUEST
Date: 29 May 02 - 07:00 PM

Chorus:
Shady grove, my little miss
Shady grove my darlin'
Shady grove my little miss
I'm goin back to Harlan

If you see my little miss
If you see my darlin'
If you see my little miss
Tell her I'm goin' to Harlan
(Chorus)
Ev'ry time I walk this road
It's always dark and cloudy
Ev'ry time I see that gal
I alwyas tell her "Howdy"
(Chorus)

Skaggs has some different verses, and Stanley does as well, but this is the "heart" of the "Shady Grove" done by the bluegrass folks.

The other "shady grove" is a minor-key tune about some stalker guy who wishes he could be with this girl...

...Wish I had an old banjo
Strung with golden twine
an' ev'ry song I played on it
would help to make her mine
Chorus:
Shady grove, my little love
Shady grove I say
Shady grove my little love
You're bound to go away

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: Anahootz
Date: 29 May 02 - 07:03 PM

I just noticed that I was cookieless, so pardon my anonymity in the above post

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 30 May 02 - 03:24 PM

John Hardly - What is "Drop D tuning?" I tried your chord progression in the regular tuning, EADGBE, and it was tricky to get my voice to cooperate -

Steve

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 30 May 02 - 04:39 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: GUEST,barrytwotimes
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 10:44 AM

Bill Monroe sings this verse. I wish I was an apple, Hangin' on a tree, Every time my little girl passed, She'd take a bite of me. Crackin' tune, thanks for the lyrics ya'll!

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: GUEST,Sonja
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 11:15 AM

Well, these verses ain't "trad" [since I made em up back in the early 1980s, cuz I didn't know more'n about 4 verses, an', like the folks sez, the song goes FAST at a bluegrass tempo), but here they are:

"Shady Grove" Verses by Sonja W. Oates © 1984*

Shady Grove, you are my love,
Oh, yes, you are my honey.
I know you loves me for myself,
'Cuz I ain't got no money.

Shady Grove, you are my love,
Oh, yes, you are my darlin'.
We make love most all the time,
At least when we ain't quarrelin'.

Shady Grove sits by the fire
with his** true love on his knee.
Honey, won't ya put that banjo down
An' spend a little time with me.


Sonja

*The only reason for the "©" is so no one will keep me from singing my own verses. Anyone else who wants to sing them, as Woody Guthrie said, "will be considered a good friend of ourn."

**Since I'm a goil, when I sing this song solo, I sometimes give Shady a sex-change--since the name itself isn't very gender linked. But you could sing the song the usual way and still have Shady be a banjo addict.

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: Charley Noble
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 04:07 PM

Sadly, I don't see some of the verses I used to sing, some borrowed from sister songs:

If I had a scolding wife,
Sure as you are born,
I'd tote her down to New Orleans,
Trade her off for corn.

Love it is a killing thing,
Beauty is a blossom;
If you wants your finger bit,
Poke it at a possum.

I'm gonna get some sticks and stones,
Build my chimney higher,
So when that ol' tom cat comes by,
He can't put out my fire.

Alas, my love, you do me wrong,
To treat me so discourteously,
For I have lingered, oh, so long,
Delighting in your company.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: Genie
Date: 13 Jun 02 - 04:04 AM

Ah, Charley, that last verse -- done to "Shady Grove"--is fantabulous!

LOL!

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: Genie
Date: 13 Jun 02 - 04:09 AM

BTW, as long as you're gonna be Switching Lyrics and Melodies, you might also incorporate lyrics from:
Amazing Grace
Puff, The Magic Dragon
America The Beautiful
Auld Lang Syne
Onward, Christian Soldiers
House Of The Rising Sun
etc., etc.

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: Charley Noble
Date: 13 Jun 02 - 01:36 PM

Genie-I think I borrowed that rendition from the Smothers Brothers. Most of the others are from various Frank Warner collected songs:

You go get them sticks and stones,
I'm gonna lie in bed;
If that ol' tom cat comes round,
Gonna fill his head with lead...

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Jun 02 - 02:39 PM

I wish I were in Baltimore, sittin in a big arm chair, one arom around my whiskey keg, and the other around my dear...

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: 53
Date: 13 Jun 02 - 02:48 PM

What key do they do this song in?

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: Genie
Date: 14 Jun 02 - 12:49 AM

The key of "R," right?

Subject: Origins: Shady Grove
From: em gunyou halaas
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 09:35 PM

As the thread title will indicate I am interested in the origins of Shady Grove and it's connection to Little Maddy Grove.

thanks much!
emily

Subject: RE: Origins: Shady Grove
From: SINSULL
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 09:43 PM

eg - there is a search box above. Put in Shady Grove, check the Forum box, and search. There are many threads on title and lyrics. Have fun.
SINS

Subject: RE: Origins: Shady Grove
From: Amos
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 10:00 PM

I am confident you will find only one link between Matthy Grove and Shady Grove, and that is the titles contain the sound "Grove", one as a proper name and one as a place name indicating a gathering of trees.

Otherwise they are not germane at all -- why would you think they were linked? Am I missing something??

A

Subject: RE: Origins: Shady Grove
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 10:07 PM

So far as I can remember, the only connection between the songs is that Fairport Convention, long ago, recorded an arrangement of a text of the latter set to the tune of the former. As Sinsull says, there have been a lot of discussions here that touch on both songs, and it's certainly worth your while having a look through them. It may be that there are new and useful things to be said, but on the whole it's more likely that people will just repeat the same old stuff in any new thread on the subject.

Subject: RE: Origins: Shady Grove
From: Stewie
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 11:10 PM

Meade et alia's earliest printed reference to 'Shady Grove' is 'Journal of American Folklore XXVIII, 182' (1915). The earliest recording was The Kentucky Thorobreads 'Shady Grove' recorded in September 1927 in Chicago and issued as Paramount 3080. This recording has been reissued on CD: Various Artists 'The Rose Grew Round the Briar Vol I' Yazoo 2030.

--Stewie.

Subject: Lyr Add: SHADY GROVE (from Alan Lomax)
From: GUEST,prcolvard
Date: 18 Mar 06 - 07:43 PM

Lyrics I have are from Folk Songs of North America by Alan Lomax 1960.

SHADY GROVE

CHORUS:
Shady Grove, my true love, Shady Grove, I know,
Shady Grove, my true love, I'm bound for the Shady Grove.

Peaches in the summertime, apples in the fall,
If I can't get the girl I love, I won't have none at all.

Once I was a little boy, playin' in the sand.
Now I am a great big boy, I think myself a man.

When I was a little boy, I wanted a whittlin' knife.
Now I am a great big boy an' I want a little wife.

Wish I had a banjo string made of golden twine,
And every tune I'd pick on it is "Wish That Girl Were Mine".

Some come here to fiddle and dance; some come here to tarry.
Some come here to fiddle and dance; I come here to marry.

Ev'ry night when I go home, my wife I try to please her.
The more I try, the worse she gets. Damned if I don't leave her.

Fly around, my blue eyed girl. Fly around, my daisy.
Fly around, my blue eyed girl. Nearly drive me crazy.

The very next time I go that road, and it don't look so dark and grazy,
The very next time I go that road, I'll stop and see my daisy.

I once had a mulie cow, mulie when she was born.
Took a jaybird 40 years to fly from horn to horn.


Chord progression is: Dm (C) I Dm (C) Dm I Dm C I Am Dm I

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: SINSULL
Date: 18 Mar 06 - 07:53 PM

I went to see my Shady Grove
Standin' by the door.
Shoes and stockings in her hands.
Little bare feet on the floor.

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: GUEST,Joe_F
Date: 18 Mar 06 - 08:02 PM

It does seem to have a good many words in common with "Cindy".

--- Joe Fineman    [e-mail]

||: Promotion is the department of a business that is concerned with harrassing and insulting its customers. :||

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 05:54 PM

Yep, Joe. Most of the 'travelin verses' are from 'Cindy.' And the Lomax version has a verse or two from, 'Fly Round my Pretty Little Miss.' But I guess that's legal enough- JR

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Shady Grove (new version)
From:
Date: 11 Jun 06 - 10:54 AM

I think this is the song from the    Songcatcher.Looking for words of   the road by the river that flows through raheen. I like old irish songs.   Tom

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 03 Jun 08 - 07:12 PM

Shady Grove, my little Love
I met her in Berea
Had some lunch at the Boone Hotel
Now she's got indigestion

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: frogprince
Date: 03 Jun 08 - 07:36 PM

I'll not marry Shady Grove, and here's the reason why;
she blows her nose on old corn bread, and calls it punkin pie.

Subject: RE: Origins: Shady Grove
From: jack diddly
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 03:31 AM

Shady grove and Maddy Grove have the same melody, so I have always thought that the melody from Shady Grove was lifted from Maddy Groves, since Maddy Groves appears to be an old English Ballad.They used to call that stealing, then someone came along and renamed it "the folk process".I think Woody Guthrie said that.

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: LeTenebreux
Date: 28 Mar 12 - 09:58 PM

And Louis McNeice's poem "Bagpipe Music" appears to come from the same primordial folk song soup:

It's no go the merrygoround, it's no go the rickshaw,
All we want is a limousine and a ticket for the peepshow.
Their knickers are made of crêpe-de-chine, their shoes are made of python,
Their halls are lined with tiger rugs and their walls with heads of bison.

John MacDonald found a corpse, put it under the sofa,
Waited till it came to life and hit it with a poker,
Sold its eyes for souvenirs, sold its blood for whiskey,
Kept its bones for dumb-bells to use when he was fifty.

It's no go the Yogi-Man, it's no go Blavatsky,
All we want is a bank balance and a bit of skirt in a taxi.

Annie MacDougall went to milk, caught her foot in the heather,
Woke to hear a dance record playing of Old Vienna.
It's no go your maidenheads, it's no go your culture,
All we want is a Dunlop tyre and the devil mend the puncture.

The Laird o' Phelps spent Hogmanay declaring he was sober,
Counted his feet to prove the fact and found he had one foot over.
Mrs Carmichael had her fifth, looked at the job with repulsion,
Said to the midwife 'Take it away; I'm through with overproduction'.

It's no go the gossip column, it's no go the Ceilidh,
All we want is a mother's help and a sugar-stick for the baby.

Willie Murray cut his thumb, couldn't count the damage,
Took the hide of an Ayrshire cow and used it for a bandage.
His brother caught three hundred cran when the seas were lavish,
Threw the bleeders back in the sea and went upon the parish.

It's no go the Herring Board, it's no go the Bible,
All we want is a packet of fags when our hands are idle.

It's no go the picture palace, it's no go the stadium,
It's no go the country cot with a pot of pink geraniums,
It's no go the Government grants, it's no go the elections,
Sit on your arse for fifty years and hang your hat on a pension.

It's no go my honey love, it's no go my poppet;
Work your hands from day to day, the winds will blow the profit.
The glass is falling hour by hour, the glass will fall for ever,
But if you break the bloody glass you won't hold up the weather.

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 29 Mar 12 - 05:49 PM

When I heard it from Rufus Crisp, in 1953, Shady Grove was a place, not a girl.

"Tell me where my true love is,
Tell me if you can...
Down in some shady grove
With another man."

Subject: RE: Shady Grove
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 29 Mar 12 - 06:09 PM

It's a bit crass to plug my own work here, but I was pleased with how this came out:

Shady Grove

Knocked out to see a post from kytrad herself up there. Hope she's keeping well.

Subject: RE: Origins: Shady Grove
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Aug 16 - 12:13 AM

Here is the Traditional Ballad Index entry on this song:

Shady Grove

DESCRIPTION: The singer talks about courting (in) Shady Grove. There is no particular plot. A typical chorus runs, "Shady Grove my little love, Shady Grove I say, Shady Grove my little love, I'm bound to go away." Shady Grove may be a place or a girl's name
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1916 (Cecil Sharp collection); +1893 (JAFL6)
KEYWORDS: courting love nonballad
FOUND IN: US(Ap,SE,SW)
REFERENCES (11 citations):
Sharp/Karpeles-80E 57, "Betty Anne" (1 text, 1 tune -- an odd version which seems to have some foreign elements mixed in, and with the tune moved from minor to Mixolydian)
Lomax-FSNA 120, "Shady Grove" (1 text, 1 tune)
BrownIII 485, "Shady Grove" (2 texts, neither much like the standard version of this song, but even less like anything else); also 97, "Uncle Joe Cut Off His Toe" (3 texts plus mention of 2 more, but "B" is probably "Shady Grove"; "A" is an incredible mix with verses typical of "Raccoon," "If I Had a Scolding Wife," a "Liza Jane" song, a mule song, and "Shady Grove"); also 111, "Wish I Had a Needle and Thread" (7 text, of which only "E" is really substantial; it is certainly the "Italy" version of "Going Across the Sea." The other fragments contain verses typical of "Shady Grove," "Old Joe Clark," and others); also 286, "Fly Around, My Blue-Eyed Girl" (4 texts; "A"-"C" are "Fly Around, My Pretty Little Miss," but the "D" text is mostly "Shady Grove")
Ritchie-SingFam, pp. 46-47, "Shady Grove" (1 text, 1 tune)
Ritchie-Southern, p. 37, "Shady Grove" (1 text, 1 tune)
Randolph 358, "Now I Am a Big Boy" (2 texts, both fragments; the "A" text is associated with this ballad, though -- as only a single verse -- it could go anywhere)
SharpAp 88, "Betty Anne" (1 text, 1 tune, with lyrics from "Shady Grove," "Fly Around, My Pretty Little Miss" and "Going Across the Sea")
Rosenbaum, pp. 138-139, "Shady Grove" (1 text, 1 tune)
Cohen/Seeger/Wood, p. 195, "Shady Grove" (1 text, 1 tune)
Silber-FSWB, p. 152, "Shady Grove" (1 text)
DT, BETTYANN* SHADYGRV*
Roud #4456
RECORDINGS:
Clarence Ashley & New River Jack Burchett, "Shady Grove" (on Ashley03, WatsonAshley01)
Rufus Crisp, "Shady Grove" (on Crisp01)
Goldie Hamilton, "Shady Grove" (AAFS 2787 A2)
Kentucky Thorobreds, "Shady Grove" (Paramount 3080, 1928; Broadway 8184 [as Old Smokey Twins], n.d.; rec. 1927)
J. M. Mullins, "Shady Grove" (AAFS 1566 A)
J. W. Russell, "Shady Grove" (AAFS 3162 B1)
Kilby Snow, "Shady Grove" (on KSnow1)
Pete Steele, "Shady Grove" (on PSteele01)
The Virginia Dandies [alternate name for Walter "Kid" Smith & The Carolina Buddies], "Shady Grove" (Crown, unissued, 1931)
Vernie Westfall, "Shady Grove" (AAFS 4118 B1)
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "Black-Eyed Susie (Green Corn)" (floating lyrics)
cf. "Going Across the Sea" (floating lyrics)
cf. "Kansas Cyclone" (tune)
cf. "Don't Get Trouble in Your Mind" (floating phrase)
cf. "Pig at Home in the Pen" (floating lyrics)
cf. "Mary from Dungloe" (floating verse)
ALTERNATE TITLES:
Little Betty Ann
File: SKE57

---

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The Ballad Index Copyright 2016 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle.

---

...and the Digital Tradition lyrics:
SHADY GROVE (DT Version)

Shady grove my little love
Shady grove I say
Shady grove my little love
Bound for shady grove

Wish I was in shady grove
Sittin in a rockin chair
And if those blues would bother me
I'd rock away from there

Had a banjo made of gold
Every string would shine
The only song that it would play
Wish that girl was mine

When I was in shady grove
Heard them pretty birds sing
The next time I go to shady grove
Take along a diamond ring

When you go to catch a fish
Fish with a hook and line
When you go to court a girl
Never look behind

When I was a little boy
All I wanted was a knife
Now I am a great big boy
I'm lookin for a wife

filename[ SHADYGRV
TUNE FILE: SHADYGRV
CLICK TO PLAY
BL

Any other versions to post?

Subject: Origins: Betty Anne / Shady Grove
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Aug 16 - 12:19 AM

The Traditional Ballad Index ties "Betty Anne" (collected by Sharp) from the Digital Tradition to "Shady Grove." Here are the Digital Tradition lyrics of "Betty Anne":

BETTY ANNE (from DT)

cho:Lor', lor', my little Betty Anne,
Lor', lor', I say,
Lor', lor', my little Betty Anne,
I'm going away to stay.

Cheeks as red as a red, red rose,
Her eyes as a diamond brown,
I'm going to see my pretty little miss
Before the sun goes down.

It's rings on my true love's hands
Shines so bright like gold.
Go and see my pretty little Miss
Before it rains or snows.

When I was up at the field at work,
I sit down and cry,
Studying' bout my blue-eyed boy,
I thought to my God I'd die.

Fly around my pretty little Miss,
Fly around I say,
Fly around, my pretty little Miss,
You'll almost drive me crazy.

Fly around my pretty little Miss,
Fly around my dandy,
Fly around my pretty little Miss,
I don't want no more of your candy.

From English Folk Songs From the Southern Appalachians, Sharp
Collected from Mrs. Ellie Johnson, NC 1916
note: more commonly known as Shady Grove
@American @banjo
filename[ BETTYANN
TUNE FILE: BETTYANN
CLICK TO PLAY
RG
apr96

Subject: RE: Origins: Shady Grove - what verses do you use?
From: GUEST,Reeniebess
Date: 24 May 17 - 09:01 PM

After all these decades of hearing this song, I am still wondering--why is this guy in love with a Landscape Formation (a Shady Grove!)?

Subject: RE: Origins: Shady Grove - what verses do you use?
From: PHJim
Date: 25 May 17 - 12:38 AM

Sorry, but I didn't read all the posts and I'm sure mine don't differ much, if at all. I'm sure I vary it a bit every time I sing it.


Shady Grove, my little love
Shady Grove I know
Shady Grove, my little love
I'm bound for Shady Grove

Cheeks as red as a blooming rose
And eyes are the prettiest brown
She's the darling of my heart
Stay till the sun goes down

Peaches in the summertime
Apples in the fall
If I can't get little Shady Grove
I don't want none at all

I wish I had a big old horse
And corn to feed him on
Pretty little gal to stay at home
And feed him while I'm gone

Went to see my Shady Grove
She was standing in the door
Her shoes and stockin's in her hand
And her little bare feet on the floor

A kiss from pretty little Shady Grove
Is sweet as sherry wine
Ain't no girl in this whole world
That's prettier than mine.

Subject: RE: Origins: Shady Grove - what verses do you use?
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Apr 18 - 07:22 PM

wow! this thread is almost 20 years long! so Awesome! i love this song and Matty Groves and Little Margaret, and they all seem related to each other in some way or another. I am not a musician, but I am trying to learn to sing them. Any suggestions of other similar songs I can look up? I'd love that! (If anyone is still out there). Oh, and one thing slightly off to the side - anyone know where to get bluegrass/folk exposure around Eugene, OR? You'd think there would be more of it, but I can't find any places or shows or anything? Thanks

Subject: : Shady Grove - meaning
From: GUEST,tuvya
Date: 23 Nov 18 - 01:06 PM

Why "shady grove?" Is "shady a first name? Or is it "Shay Dee" or "Shay D?"
,
Or is in an adjective? If taken literally this guy, or gal, wants some lovin' in a place that's not in broad daylight... hmmmm...

The shady grove in question seems to have morphed over time and the long "a" "e" and "o" vowels bring their own pleasure when sung I think.

Subject: RE: Origins: Shady Grove - what verses do you use?
From: GUEST,Jordan
Date: 04 Sep 19 - 02:24 PM

@GUEST,tuvya

Shady Grove seems to be both where the person lives/was born. And his/her name. It changes frequently throughout the song which one it is referring to.

ie. "... Now I want little Shady Grove to say she'll be my wife" - Using "Shady Grove" as a name.

Subject: RE: Origins: Shady Grove - what verses do you use?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 04 Sep 19 - 03:49 PM

Lovely song. Mary's version is closest to my fave, but I have a different [slightly] one by Doc Watson somewhere.

Subject: Lyr Add: Shady Grove
From: BTMP
Date: 22 Jan 22 - 11:58 PM

I wrote a new verse for ‘Shady Grove’ which I sing quite often in jams. My closest friends say this verse is good, so I am sharing it here in the forum. Feel free to use it, and I’d be interested in any feedback or other thoughts you may have.

Leaving down the mountain side, ne’er to come again.
Shady Grove is lost to me, she’s found another man.
The heart it is a gentle thing, sometimes made of gold.
Mine is broken, ne’er to mend. Forever dark and cold.