Shady Grove
Billy Strings & Don Julin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shady Grove I say
Shady Grove, my little love
I′m bound to go away
Cheeks as red a a blooming rose
And eyes are the prettiest brown
She's the darling of my heart
I wish I had a big fine horse
And corn to feed him on
And Shady Grove 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
When I was a little boy
I wanted a Barlow knife
And now I want little Shady Grove
To say she'll be my wife
A kiss form pretty little Shady Grove
Is sweet as brandy wine
And ther ain′t no girl in this old world
That′s's prettier than mine
Shady Grove, my little love
Shady Grove I say
Shady Grove, my little love
I′m bound to go away
The lyrics of Billy Strings & Don Julin's song Shady Grove speak of a lover's longing for his beloved, Shady Grove. He expresses his desire to stay with her, but recognizes that he must go away. The use of repetition throughout the song emphasizes the emotional weight of the situation. The singer describes Shady Grove's physical beauty, but also notes how she has captured his heart. He wishes he had more to offer her than just his love, specifically a big fine horse and corn to feed it, imagining her staying at home and taking care of it while he is away.
The last verse speaks of the singer's desire to marry Shady Grove. He compares a kiss from her to sweet brandy wine and declares her to be the prettiest girl in the world. The final repetition of the chorus underscores the melancholy tone of the song, as the singer acknowledges that he must leave his beloved behind.
Overall, the lyrics of Shady Grove capture the bittersweet reality of love and loss, and the longing for a life that may never be.
Line by Line Meaning
Shady Grove, my little love
Addressing the person's significant other, who is referred to as 'Shady Grove'
Shady Grove I say
Reiterating that the person is addressing 'Shady Grove'
Shady Grove, my little love
Continuing to address 'Shady Grove' and emphasizing the affectionate nature of their relationship
I'm bound to go away
Stating that the person is leaving their significant other 'Shady Grove'
Cheeks as red as a blooming rose
Describing the physical appearance of 'Shady Grove'
And eyes are the prettiest brown
Continuing to describe 'Shady Grove's physical features
She's the darling of my heart
Expressing deep affection for 'Shady Grove'
Sweetest girl in town
Describing 'Shady Grove' as the loveliest girl in their locale
I wish I had a big fine horse
Expressing a desire for a grand horse
And corn to feed him on
Stating that the person needs food for the horse
And Shady Grove to stay at home
Asserting that the person wants 'Shady Grove' to remain at home
And feed him while I'm gone
Requesting that 'Shady Grove' take care of the horse while the person is away
Went to see my Shady Grove
Describing a visit to see 'Shady Grove'
She was standing in the door
Detailing 'Shady Grove's position on the doorstep of her home
Her shoes and stockings in her hand
Noticing that 'Shady Grove' was holding her footwear
And her little bare feet on the floor
Observing that 'Shady Grove' was barefoot
When I was a little boy
Reflecting on childhood
I wanted a Barlow knife
Recalling a desire for a particular type of knife
And now I want little Shady Grove
Contrasting the past desire for a knife with a current desire for 'Shady Grove'
To say she'll be my wife
Expressing a wish for 'Shady Grove' to agree to marriage
A kiss from pretty little Shady Grove
Describing the sweetness of a kiss from 'Shady Grove'
Is sweet as brandy wine
Comparing the sweetness of a kiss from 'Shady Grove' to brandy wine
And there ain't no girl in this old world
Claiming that there is no one in the world superior to 'Shady Grove'
That's prettier than mine
Emphasizing the artist's belief that 'Shady Grove' is the most beautiful person in the world
Shady Grove, my little love
Restating the person's affection for 'Shady Grove'
Shady Grove I say
Repeating the address to 'Shady Grove'
Shady Grove, my little love
Continuing to express love for 'Shady Grove'
I'm bound to go away
Repeating that the person is leaving 'Shady Grove'
Writer(s): Public Domain, Benjamin Aronoff
Contributed by Evan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ILoveJGB and the Dead
Gotta remember, this is probably a bar, not a concert hall. At that point, Billy wasn’t well known but the talent was there in spades! This is about the time I first met Don and Billy, two great guys! I note though that as soon as Billy starts singing, that crowd got pretty quiet!
Karen Kaye’s Jam on the Porch
Can’t believe the dumb luck of such a rowdy, inattentive audience… what a great performance… wish I had been there! I would have been spellbound!
Big Dally C
This is definitely the funkiest version of shady grove I've ever heard.
Michael Dunn
Love these guys. such good musicians.
Michael Baker
Wow. To be one of the 30 or 40 people lucky enough to be at this show.
Shreddy Krueger
And then to be loud as fucking hell during it all
Bryan Lafferty
I never understand these videos where everyone is talking over Billy’s playing…
Hauke Wenzel
Highest Level of everything posible
Kenneth William Elkington
Can't believe how rude and loud the crowd during the performance.. which is, oh i dunno... stellar! These guys are super-talented... some respect, please.
roger smart
It's a bar... full of drunk people, doing what drunk people do. Billy shines through.