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SHADY GROVE
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version by Roger McGuinn
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Shady grove my little love
Shady grove I say
Shady grove my little love
Bound for shady grove

Wish I was in shady grove
Sittin in a rockin chair
And if those blues would bother me
I'd rock away from there

Had a banjo made of gold
Every string would shine
The only song that it would play
Wish that girl was mine

When I was in shady grove
Heard them pretty birds sing
The next time I go to shady grove
Take along a diamond ring

When you go to catch a fish
Fish with a hook and line
When you go to court a girl
Never look behind

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

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version by The Kentucky Colonels
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Shady Grove my little miss
Shady Grove my darling
Shady Grove my little miss
Goin' back to Harlan

If you see my little miss
If you see my darling
If you see my little miss
Tell her I'm going a-courting

Shady Grove my little miss
Shady Grove my darling
Shady Grove my little miss
Goin' back to Harlan

Every time I walk this road
It's always dark and cloudy
Every time I see that gal
I always tell her happy

Shady Grove my little miss
Shady Grove my darling
Shady Grove my little miss
Goin' back to Harlan

Shady Grove my little miss
Shady Grove my darling
Shady Grove my little miss
Goin' back to Harlan

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another version
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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
And eyes are the prettiest brown
She's the darling of my heart
Sweetest girl in towm

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

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

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

A kiss form pretty little Shady Grove
Is sweet as brandy wine
And ther ain't no girl in this old world
Thats's prettier than mine

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another version
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Peaches in the summertime
Apples in the fall
If I can't get the girl I love
I don't want none at all (note 1)

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 (note 2)
I wish that girl were mine

Wish I had a needle and thread (note 3)
Fine as I could sew
I'd sew that pretty girl to my side
And down the road I'd go

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

Every night when I go home (note 4)
My wife, I try to please her
The more I try, the worse she gets
Damned if I don't leave her

Fly around, my pretty little miss (note 5)
Fly around, my Daisy
Fly around, my pretty little miss
Nearly drive me crazy

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another version
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Shady grove, my true love
Shady grove, my honey
Shady grove, my true love
Bound for shady grove

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

When I was a little boy
My mama told me
If I never kissed a girl
My lips would grow all mouldy

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

When I was a little boy
I wanted a whittlin' knife
Now I am a great big boy
I want a little wife

Wish I had a banjo string
Made of golden twine
Every time I play on it
I wish that girl was mine


also recorded by
Scottsville Squirrel Barkers 1961