Lyr. Add: DOWN IN THE VALLEY
(Arkansas; Randolph)

Down in the Valley, the valley so low,
Hang your head over, hear the wind blow,
Hear the wind blow, dear, hear the wind blow,
Hang your head over, hear the wind blow.

Violets love sunshine, an' roses love dew,
Angels in Heaven all know I love you.
Know I love you, dear, know I love you,
Angels in Heaven know I love you.

If you don't love me, then love who you please,
Throw your arms round me an' give my heart ease,
Give my heart ease, dear, give my heart ease,
Throw your arms round me an' give my heart ease.

Throw your arms round me before it's too late,
Throw your arms round me an' feel my heart break,
Feel my heart brreak, dear, feel my heart break,
Throw your arms round me an' feel my heart break.

Write me a letter, go write it today,
Stamp it tomorrow and send it away,
Send it away, dear, send it away,
Stamp it tomorrow an' send it away.

Build me a castle a hundred foot high,
So I can see him as he goes by,
As he goes by, dear, as he goes by
So I can see him as he goes by.

Randolph, Ozark Folksongs, vol. 4, # 772. With music, contrib. 1929, obtained in 1925 from Johnny Berry, Arkansas.

Several versions lack the Birmingham jail verse, including the above, one collected in Ohio (Sandburg, 1927) and a Kentucky version in Lomax, American Ballads and Folk Songs, 1934. The one in Lomax has a verse that seems unique.

Bird in a cage, love, bird in a cage,
Dying for freedom, Ever a slave.
Ever a slave, dear, ever a slave,
Dying for freedom, ever a slave.

Much similarity among the versions, suggesting a common source, but none found.