After taking a brief recording hiatus in the mid-1990s to start a family with her husband, songwriter Doug Crider, Bogguss returned to the country music scene to find that her charting power had already faded. Although she last appeared on the Billboard Hot Country Singles Chart in 1999, Bogguss continues to record and perform around the country to a loyal following.
Her most recent recordings have ventured into swing and jazz variations of country. These albums really showcase the tremendous talent in her voice. Suzy is a true singer, and her voice has so much versatility.
In 2014, Suzy added an album of Merle Haggard songs entitled "Lucky". The country & western flavor dominates this album, unlike some of her other recent work. To promote this new album, Suzy has embarked on a nationwide tour.
Shady Grove
Suzy Bogguss 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 are like a blooming rose,
Eyes of the deepest brown
She"s the darling of my heart
Shady Grove, my little love
Shady Grove I say
Shady Grove, my little love,
I"m bound to go away
I went to see my Shady Grove
She's standing in the door,
Shoes and stockings in her hand,
Little bare feet on the floor.
Shady Grove, my little love
Shady Grove I say
Shady Grove, my little love,
I"m bound to go away
I wish I had a needle and thread
As fine as I could sew,
I"d sew my true love to my side
And down the street I"d go.
Shady Grove, my little love
Shady Grove I say
Shady Grove, my little love,
I"m bound to go away
I wish I had a big fine horse,
And corn to feed him on
And a pretty girl to stay at home
To feed him when I"m gone.
Shady Grove, my little love
Shady Grove I say
Shady Grove, my little love,
I"m bound to go away
Peaches in the summertime
Apples in the fall.
If I can"t get the girl I love,
I don"t want none at all.
Shady Grove, my little love
Shady Grove I say
Shady Grove, my little love,
I"m bound to go away
Shady Grove, my little love
Shady Grove I say
Shady Grove, my little love,
I"m bound to go away
"Shady Grove" is a traditional folk song that has been recorded by numerous musicians over the years, including Suzy Bogguss. The song tells the story of a man who is deeply in love with a woman named Shady Grove, but knows he must leave her. The lyrics paint a picture of Shady Grove as a beautiful and delicate woman, with blooming rose cheeks and deep brown eyes that captivate the singer's heart. Despite his love for her, the singer knows he must go away, and he imagines scenarios where he could sew his true love to his side or have a big fine horse to ride away with.
The song includes various references to nature and the changing seasons, with the singer mentioning peaches in the summertime and apples in the fall. These references could be interpreted as symbols of the fleeting nature of love and life, as well as the inevitability of change.
Overall, the song conveys a sense of nostalgia and longing, as the singer grapples with conflicting emotions of love and the need to move on. The repetition of the chorus, with the phrase "Shady Grove, my little love" repeated throughout, adds to the melancholic tone of the song, as if the singer is trying to hold onto the memory of his love before she fades away.
Line by Line Meaning
Shady Grove, my little love
Addressing a loved one named Shady Grove
Shady Grove I say
Reiterating the fact that the loved one is Shady Grove
Shady Grove, my little love,
I'm bound to go away
Expressing the inevitability of departing from Shady Grove
Cheeks are like a blooming rose,
Eyes of the deepest brown
She's the darling of my heart
Stay till the sun goes down.
Describing the physical attributes and expressing adoration for Shady Grove
I went to see my Shady Grove
She's standing in the door,
Shoes and stockings in her hand,
Little bare feet on the floor.
Recalling a visit to Shady Grove's place and providing details of her appearance and actions
I wish I had a needle and thread
As fine as I could sew,
I'd sew my true love to my side
And down the street I'd go.
Expressing the desire to be inseparable from Shady Grove during a journey
I wish I had a big fine horse,
And corn to feed him on
And a pretty girl to stay at home
To feed him when I'm gone.
Conveying the desire for the ideal circumstances of a journey involving a fine horse, plenty of resources, and a trustworthy companion
Peaches in the summertime
Apples in the fall.
If I can't get the girl I love,
I don't want none at all.
Expressing the love for Shady Grove and the lack of interest in anything else if she is not a part of it
Shady Grove, my little love
Shady Grove I say
Shady Grove, my little love,
I'm bound to go away
Reiterating the opening verse and emphasizing the impending departure from Shady Grove
Contributed by Eva C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.