This is from the cyber hymnal~~a great site, with words, and midi files from a great many hymns.

http://www.accessone.com/~rwadams/h/


Words & Music: Dr. William S. Pitts, 1857. The hymn is named after an actual church, in Bradford, Iowa. The story is that Dr. Pitts had a vision of the church before it was even built. Why was the church brown? Brown was the cheapest color paint.

Little Brown Church in the Vale

There's a church in the valley by the wildwood,
No lovelier place in the dale;
No spot is so dear to my childhood,
As the little brown church in the vale.

Refrain

Come to the church by the wildwood,
Oh, come to the church in the dale,
No spot is so dear to my childhood,
As the little brown church in the vale.

How sweet on a clear, Sabbath morning,
To list to the clear ringing bell;
Its tones so sweetly are calling,
Oh come to the church in the vale.

Refrain

There, close by the church in the valley,
Lies one that I loved so well;
She sleeps, sweetly sleeps, 'neath the willow,
Disturb not her rest in the vale.

Refrain

There, close by the side of that loved one,
'Neath the tree where the wild flowers bloom,
When farewell hymn shall be chanted
I shall rest by her side in the tomb.

Refrain

From the church in the valley by the wildwood,
When day fades away into night,
I would fain from this spot of my childhood
Wing my way to the mansions of light.

Refrain^^^