Shady Grove
Clarence AshleyDoc Watson Lyrics

Shady Grove, my little love
The song is addressed to a woman named Shady Grove, who is the singer's love interest.

Shady Grove I say
The singer repeats the name Shady Grove to emphasize who the song is about.

Shady Grove, my little love
The singer reiterates that Shady Grove is his beloved, but acknowledges that he will soon be leaving her.

I'm bound to go away
The singer is letting Shady Grove know that he will be leaving her soon and has no choice in the matter.

Cheeks as red as a blooming rose
Shady Grove has bright red cheeks that resemble a rose in bloom.

And eyes are the prettiest brown
Shady Grove has beautiful brown eyes that the singer admires.

She's the darling of my heart
Shady Grove is the apple of the singer's eye and holds a special place in his heart.

Sweetest girl in town
The singer believes that Shady Grove is the sweetest and most beautiful girl in the town.

I wish I had a big fine horse
The singer wants a horse, preferably a good one that is well-fed.

And corn to feed him on
The singer wants corn to feed his horse.

And Shady Grove to stay at home
The singer wants someone to take care of his horse while he is gone, and he wishes it were Shady Grove.

And feed him while I'm gone
The singer reiterates that he wants someone, presumably Shady Grove, to take care of his horse while he is away.

Went to see my Shady Grove
The singer went to visit Shady Grove.

She was standing in the door
Shady Grove was standing in the doorway when the singer arrived.

Her shoes and stockings in her hand
Shady Grove is likely barefoot because she has removed her shoes and stockings.

And her little bare feet on the floor
Shady Grove has taken off her shoes and stockings, leaving her with little bare feet that touch the floor.

When I was a little boy
The singer is reminiscing about his childhood.

I wanted a Barlow knife
When he was a child, the singer wanted a specific type of knife called a Barlow knife.

And now I want little Shady Grove
Now that he's older, the singer desires Shady Grove's companionship and wishes that she would be his wife.

To say she'll be my wife
The singer wants Shady Grove to agree to be his wife and spend the rest of her life with him.

A kiss from pretty little Shady Grove
The singer finds kissing Shady Grove to be akin to sipping sweet and exquisite brandy wine.

Is sweet as brandy wine
The sweetness of the kiss is emphasized by the comparison to brandy wine, which is known for its sweetness.

And there ain't no girl in this old world
The singer believes that no other girl in the world could compare to Shady Grove.

That's prettier than mine
The singer considers Shady Grove to be the most beautiful woman in the world.

Shady Grove, my little love
The singer repeats the opening line, reminding the listener that the song is about his beloved Shady Grove.

Shady Grove I say
The singer repeats the name Shady Grove to emphasize who the song is about.

Shady Grove, my little love
The song concludes with a final reference to the singer's love interest, Shady Grove.