Shady Grove
Jerry Garcia / David Grisman Lyrics


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Peaches in the summertime
Apples in the fall
If I can't have the girl I love
I don't want none at all

Shady Grove, my little love
Shady Grove, I know
Shady Grove, my little love
I'm bound for Shady Grove

I wish I had a banjo string
Made of golden twine
Every tune I'd play on it
I wish that girl was mine

Shady Grove, my little love
Shady Grove, I know
Shady Grove, my little love
I'm bound for Shady Grove

I wish I had a needle and thread
Fine as I could sew
I'd sew that pretty girl to my side
And down the road I'd go

Shady Grove, my little love
Shady Grove, I know
Shady Grove, my little love
I'm bound for Shady Grove

Some come here to fiddle and dance
Some come here to tarry
Some come here to fiddle and dance
I come here to marry

Shady Grove, my little love
Shady Grove, I know
Shady Grove, my little love
I'm bound for Shady Grove

Every night when I go home
Wife, I try to please her
The more I try, the worse she gets
Damned if I don't leave her

Shady Grove, my little love
Shady Grove, I know
Shady Grove, my little love
I'm bound for Shady Grove

Shady Grove, my little love
Shady Grove, my darling
Shady Grove, my little love
I'm going back to Harlan

Shady Grove, my little love
Shady Grove, I know




Shady Grove, my little love
I'm bound for Shady Grove

Overall Meaning

The song "Shady Grove" by Jerry Garcia, David Grisman, and Tony Rice, tells the story of a man's love for a woman named Shady Grove. The opening lines of the song describe Shady Grove's beauty, with her rosy cheeks and deep brown eyes. The singer professes his love for her and asks her to stay with him until the sun goes down. However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer must leave Shady Grove behind. She stands in the door with her shoes and stockings in her hands, while the singer prepares to depart. He expresses his desire to have a "big, fine horse" and the corn to feed him on, as well as for Shady Grove to wait for him at home and care for the horse while he is gone.


The lyrics of "Shady Grove" are steeped in traditional American folk music, with references to peaches in summertime and apples in the fall. The verse about the old banjo with strings made of twine is also a nod to the rich history of American folk music. The song's chorus is simple yet powerful, with the refrain of "Shady Grove, my little love" repeated throughout. The singer urges Shady Grove not to wait until Judgment Day to be with him, suggesting that time is of the essence and he wishes to be with her in the present.


Line by Line Meaning

Cheeks as red as the blooming rose
Your rosy cheeks remind me of the freshness of a blooming rose.


Eyes of the deepest brown
Your brown eyes are deep and alluring, captivating my attention.


You are the darling of my heart
You are more than just someone I love, you are my cherished darling.


Stay till she sun goes down
Please stay with me until the sun sets and our shared time has come to an end.


Shady Grove, my little love
Addressing the love of my life, with the nickname Shady Grove that represents my deep fondness and affection.


Shady Grove, I say
Repeating the nickname Shady Grove, conveying the weight of its significance to me.


I'm going to leave you here
I have to leave you behind, probably due to circumstances beyond our control.


Standin' in the door
You are at the doorway, probably watching me leave or waiting for me to return.


Shose and stockin's in her hand
You have my shoes and socks in your hand, presenting brief images that convey nostalgia, familiarity and intimacy.


And her little bare feet on the floor
You're standing barefoot on the floor, which is a natural and simple image that evokes an honest and authentic connection.


Wish I had a big, fine horse
I wish I had a horse -- a symbol of freedom, strength and possibilities -- to help me fulfill my dreams and obligations.


And the Corn to feed him on
Corn is the food that would nourish and empower my horse, which represents the fuel and resources that I need to carry out my plans.


And Shady Grove to stay at home
If you could stay home, Shady Grove, you would be the stable and comforting presence I need while I'm away.


And feed him while I'm gone
If you could take care of my horse, Shady Grove, you would also take care of my heart, because you are the most important thing to me.


I used to have an old banjo
The banjo is a musical instrument that expresses joy, melancholy, creativity and heritage.


The strings were made of twine
Twine is the humble material that holds the instrument together, reminding me of the beauty and simplicity of folk music and life.


The only song that it would play
Despite its limitations, my banjo had the power to play a song that resonated with me.


Was "Trouble on my Mind".
The song "Trouble on My Mind" reflects my inner turmoil, perhaps related to my longing for Shady Grove, my horse, my freedom, or my purpose in life.


Peaches in the summertime
Peaches symbolize the sweetness and abundance of life, particularly in the thriving season of summer.


Apples in the fall
Apples represent the crispness and variety of autumn, a time of transformation and gratitude.


If I can't have the girl I love
Expressing the sadness and despair of not being able to be with the one I truly love and value.


I won't have none at all.
Suggesting that without Shady Grove, life has no meaning or happiness for me.


Don't wait till Judgment Day
Don't delay or hesitate to express your love and affection to those who matter to you because time is precious and fleeting, and we do not know what the future holds.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Jerome J. Garcia, David Jay Grisman, DP

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Lando Wilson

Peaches in the summertime
Apples in the fall
If I can't have the girl I love
I don't want none at all
Shady Grove, my little love
Shady Grove, I know
Shady Grove, my little love
I'm bound for Shady Grove

Wish I had a banjo string
Made of golden twine
Every tune I'd play on it
I wish that girl was mine
Shady Grove, my little love
Shady Grove, I know
Shady Grove, my little love
I'm bound for Shady Grove

I wish I had a needle and thread
The finest I could sew
Sew that pretty girl to my side
And down the road I'd go
Shady Grove, my little love
Shady Grove, I know
Shady Grove, my little love
I'm bound for Shady Grove

Some come here to fiddle and dance
Some come here to tarry
Some here to fiddle and dance
I come here to marry
Shady Grove, my little love
Shady Grove, I know
Shady Grove, my little love
I'm bound for Shady Grove

Every night when I go home
My wife, I try to please her
The more I try, the worse she gets
Damned if I don't leave her
Shady Grove, my little love
Shady Grove, I know
Shady Grove, my little love
I'm bound for Shady Grove

Shady Grove, my little love
Shady Grove, my darlin'
Shady Grove, my little love
I goin' back to town(the grove)

Shady Grove, my little love
Shady Grove, I know
Shady Grove, my little love
I'm bound for Shady Grove



All comments from YouTube:

Michael Bizzarro

God the flood of childhood nostalgia. My dad always listened to this album while smoking cigar at night in our cabin out in two rivers Alaska. Everytime I hear this it hits me

Kathleen Mills

Wow...you explaining it that way made feel like I was right there with you. Wish I had been...sounds like my kind of place.

ƥƕƖƖıƥ

Indeed, one of my first girlfriends- her Fad was an accomplished bluegrass musician, and I knew nothing about this type of music. His band played in backyard during a potluck one Summer, this song, just guitar & mandolin, Two vocals...and it was as though I had died and elevated to the House of Songs - the Music of the Angels. I love the Garcia/Grisman version, but how I wish I could recapture those beautiful harmonies I heard that summer evening.
My God

CstAr44 B

That's a beautiful image 😍
What a sweet memory to have!

Elizabeth Victoria

My dad always listened to this while smoking weed lol
But he's gone now and that's why I'm here listening

AnimeGold

SO VIM AQUI PELA SERIE

megan senft

Jerry's music is like a drug. I instantly feel happy and relaxed on the first tinkling of his guitar.

tobydarling

Have always loved Doc Watson's version of this, but there is something about Jerry's voice that makes this great too. Thanks for posting!

rail64

Wow. So late I discover this great musician. No wonder he is so missed. Just wow..

Maria Rivera

This whole album is still magic..warm sun on a cold soul

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