Lyr Req: Poor Wildwood Flower

Subject: Lyr Req: Poor Wildwood Flower
From: Ron1541
Date: 06 Nov 04 - 08:41 AM

Back in 1960 a singer named Harvie June Van recorded a record by this name. It is the same music as the traditional "Wildwood Flower" but with different lyrics. Anyone out there that knows anything about this I would like to know more about it. Especially I would like to find a copy of the record as it played daily for several months when I was in the Army in Germany. I thought I would not have a difficult time finding it but in all these years I have found nothing except it was recorded by RCA.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Poor Wildwood Flower
From: GUEST,Obie
Date: 06 Nov 04 - 03:27 PM

There was a parody in which the wildwoob folwer was pot plants.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Poor Wildwood Flower
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 07 Nov 04 - 07:31 PM

Here's a short biography of Harvie June Van. It lists 8 songs she recorded but POOR WILDWOOD FLOWER isn't one of them.

I think the compiler of that website would be interested in getting whatever information you have.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Poor Wildwood Flower
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 08 Nov 04 - 10:33 PM

According to this record list, Harvie June Van recorded POOR WILDWOOD FLOWER with WHEN YOU ARE HERE on RCA 47-7668.

The BMI Repertoire says POOR WILDWOOD FLOWER was written by Robert B. Ferguson (a.k.a. Bob Ferguson). It has also been recorded by The Browns and by Helen Carter. I got the following lyrics from a sound sample of The Browns' recording:

...ringlets of wavin' black hair
With the roses so red and the lilies so fair
And the myrtle so bright with the emerald dew
The pale dianita (?) and eyes azure blue.
(Poor wildwood flower.)

As far as the sample goes, it doesn't depart very far from the traditional version(s).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Poor Wildwood Flower
From: GUEST,SteveB
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 11:07 PM

Ron1541, I have a recording on 45 of Poor Wildwood Flower, recorded by Harvie June Van. I, too, heard it while in the service. Some years ago, I was lucky enough to find the 45 for sale on a web music sales site. Since your posting three years ago, I don't know if you are still interested, or if you will even see my posting. But please contact me at [e-mail] in you are!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Poor Wildwood Flower
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 11:13 PM

SteveB, could you transcribe the lyrics for Mudcat? I, for one, would greatly appreciate that.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Poor Wildwood Flower
From: GUEST,SteveB
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 04:49 PM

Here are the lyrics for "Poor Wildwood Flower", sung by Harvie June Van. As previously discussed, the songwriter is Bob Ferguson, the label is RCA, #47-7668 (K2WW-1543), Backwoods Music, BMI. The flip side is the song, "When You Are Here".

(Chorus: Pale Wildwood Flower)
Oh he promised to love me, and called me his flower,
That's been blooming to please him, through life's every hour.
Oh we wandered to the hill where the wildflowers grew,
He said "Every flower reminds me of you".
(Chorus: Just you, sweet you)
The lilies he said are your love sweet and true,
And the dew sprinkled rose is the image of you.
The wild morning glory, in branches does tower,
Each sings to me of my pale wildwood flower.
(Chorus: Pale Wildwood Flower)
So he taught me to love him, and promised to stay,
But the summer must end, and the rose fade away.
He left me one morning, and he never knew,
His pale wildwood flower was withering, too.
(Chorus: Poor Wildwood Flower)
Now I'm sinking so low, when the light is growing dim,
In my hands placed a lily, in memory of him.
Tell him I forgive him, though I regret the hour,
He walked off and left me, his pale wildwood flower.
(Chorus: Pale Wildwood Flower)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Poor Wildwood Flower
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 05:09 PM

Much appreciated!