From the recording Shady Grove
My Daddy grew up in Hazard, Kentucky and some of the other small towns around their in the hills. When I first started playing guitar I learned this old traditional song because I knew he'd enjoy it. These days I usually play it on the banjo.
Lyrics
SHADY GROVE
Shady Grove my true love
Shady Grove my honey
Shady Grove my true love
Goin to Shady Grove
When I was a little boy
My Mama told me
If you do not kiss the girls
Their lips will soon grow moldy
When I was a little boy
All I wanted was a knife
Now I am a great big boy
I’m lookin for a wife
The higher up the cherry tree
The sweeter grow the cherries
The more you hug and kiss the girls
The sooner they get married
When you go to catch a fish
You fish with a hook and line
When you go to court the girls
You never look back behind
If I had a needle and thread
As fine as I could sew
I’d sew my Honey to my side
And down the road I’d go
First time I saw shade grove
She’s standin by the door
Shoes and stockings in her hand
Little bare feet on the floor
Shady Grove my true love
Shady Grove my true love
I’m goin to Shady Grove
Shady Grove my true love
Shady Grove my darlin
Shady Grove my true love
I’m goin back to Harlan