The album was re-released on Smithsonian Folkways on CD in 1990 with additional tracks from the 1970s.
Shady Grove
The Doc Watson Family Lyrics
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Shady Grove, my little love
Shady Grove I say
Shady Grove, my little love
I'm bound to go away
Cheeks as red a a blooming rose
She's the darling of my heart
Sweetest girl in towm
(chorus)
(break)
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
(chorus)
(break)
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
(chorus)
(break)
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
(chorus)
(break)
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
(chorus)
The song Shady Grove by The Doc Watson Family is about the singer’s love for a girl named Shady Grove. The chorus repeats four times throughout the song and emphasizes the singer's love and the inevitability of his departure. The verse reveals the qualities that make Shady Grove special to the singer – her rosy cheeks, pretty brown eyes, and endearing personality. He also wishes to have a horse and corn to feed him on, so Shady Grove can stay home and care for the horse while he's gone. During one visit, he finds her standing in the door with her shoes and stockings removed and her bare feet on the floor. The song ends with the singer confessing his desire for Shady Grove’s hand in marriage and an acknowledgement of her singular beauty.
The lyrics to Shady Grove by The Doc Watson Family evoke a sense of wistfulness and nostalgia. The song's emotional depth results from its uncomplicated and easy-to-follow storyline about the Singer's love for Shady Grove. The song is folk music, and it reflects the traditions of Appalachian music infused with Old-Time practices. The singer's longing for a rural and simple life with Shady Grove at his side is the embodiment of the Appalachian spirit. The song portrays the performer's love and aspirations for a quiet, stress-free existence on a farm, living off the land and caring for their animals. It’s an almost utopian image of rural life that's been a part of the cultural fabric of the southern U.S for centuries.
Line by Line Meaning
Shady Grove, my little love
Referring to Shady Grove as a term of endearment.
Shady Grove I say
Emphasizing the importance of Shady Grove.
Shady Grove, my little love
Repeating the endearment from the first line.
I'm bound to go away
Expressing the sadness of leaving Shady Grove.
Cheeks as red a a blooming rose
Describing the rosy cheeks of Shady Grove.
And eyes are the prettiest brown
Praising the beauty of her eyes.
She's the darling of my heart
Expressing the deep love for Shady Grove.
Sweetest girl in towm
Declaring Shady Grove as the sweetest girl in town.
I wish I had a big fine horse
Expressing a desire for a valuable horse.
And corn to feed him on
Wishing to have corn to feed the horse.
And Shady Grove to stay at home
Wishing for Shady Grove to stay home while he is away.
And feed him while I'm gone
Asking Shady Grove to take care of the horse while he is away.
Went to see my Shady Grove
Going to see Shady Grove.
She was standing in the door
Describing where Shady Grove was when he arrived.
Her shoes and stockin's in her hand
Describing what Shady Grove was holding.
And her little bare feet on the floor
Describing that Shady Grove was barefoot.
When I was a little boy
Referring to the past when he was a boy.
I wanted a Barlow knife
Expressing a desire for a knife when he was a boy.
And now I want little Shady Grove
Expressing a desire for Shady Grove now.
To say she'll be my wife
Asking Shady Grove to be his wife.
A kiss form pretty little Shady Grove
Describing a kiss from Shady Grove.
Is sweet as brandy wine
Comparing the sweetness of the kiss to brandy wine.
And ther ain't no girl in this old world
Declaring that there is no girl in the world.
That's's prettier than mine
Declaring that Shady Grove is the prettiest girl in the world.
(chorus)
Repeating the refrain.
(break)
Indicating a musical break.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BUDDY CANNON, KENNETH CHESNEY, TIMOTHY HENSLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind