The Ash Grove
Gail Gurman
I got some good replies. However, somehow I lost them. I've checked out the
various lyrics sources on gopher and haven't found what I'm looking for.
What I want is the normal (often referred to as the "Girl Scout" version)
lyrics and the Welsh lyrics. Any other versions are welcome.
Incidentally, there are lyrics to this song in Rise Up Singing, but they're
two English versions, one of which is similar to the "Girl Scout" lyrics,
but not quite the same. In any case, I have Rise Up Singing, so I don't need
those lyrics.
Thanks very much.
Gail
--
Name the world famous poet who wrote this line:
"The glebe cow drooled and God said 'No!'"
Unknown
Here's my recollection of a "Girl Scout version" (courtesy of my (somewhat
hazy) memories from Camp Timber Ridge):
Down yonder green valleys where steamlets meander
When twilight is falling I pensively roam.
Or at the bright noontide in solitude wander
Beneath the dark shade of the lonely ash grove.
'Tis there where the blackbird
Is cheerfully singing
Each warbler enchants
with his notes from a tree.
Ah, then little think I of sorrow or sadness
The ash grove, the ash grove spells beauty for me.
Hope this helps!
JC
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"Deal with it, pink boy!" -- Tom Servo
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dick greenhaus
It's in The Digital Tradition (along with 4000 others)
dick greenhaus
Gail Gurman
>Here's my recollection of a "Girl Scout version" (courtesy of my (somewhat
>hazy) memories from Camp Timber Ridge):
<Lyrics deleted>
>Hope this helps!
Yes! Thanks!
>JC
I would have done a simple reply but I can't find a return address on your
post.
ghost
>About six months ago, I posted a request for the lyrics to The Ash Grove and
>I got some good replies. However, somehow I lost them. I've checked out the
>various lyrics sources on gopher and haven't found what I'm looking for.
>
>What I want is the normal (often referred to as the "Girl Scout" version)
>lyrics and the Welsh lyrics. Any other versions are welcome.
>
>Incidentally, there are lyrics to this song in Rise Up Singing, but they're
>two English versions, one of which is similar to the "Girl Scout" lyrics,
>but not quite the same. In any case, I have Rise Up Singing, so I don't need
>those lyrics.
>
>Thanks very much.
Here's the summer/scout camp version, 1st verse courtesy of me
(with mistakes?),
2nd verse courtesy Dorthy Westphal (west...@zuni.litc.lockheed.com
: Down yonder green valley where streamlets meander
: When twilight is fading I pensively roam
: Or at the bright noontide in solitude wander
: Amid the dark shades of the lonely ashgrove *
: Tis there where the blackbird is cheerfully singing
: Each warbler enchants with his notes from a tree **
: And then little think I of sorrow or sadness
: The ashgrove, the ashgrove
: Spells beauty for me
: *It could also be "lovely ashgrove" without much loss in meaning.
: ** a very logical phrase that always struck me as funny, somehow,
: even though they *don't* usually sing on the ground;
: maybe its the way the line is sung out so adamantly
: <reading could also be
: "each warbler enchants with each note from a tree">
: I don't think this version is horrible, so hope its the other one
: Robin Huw Bowen (Welsh triple-harp player) thinks is.
My laughter is over my step loses lightness
Old countryside measures steal soft on my ear
I only remember the past and its brightness;
the dear ones i long for again gather here.
from out of the shadow their loving looks greet me
and wistfully searching the leafy green dome
I find other faces fond bending to greet me
the ash grove the ash grove alone is my home.
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Here's the very Victorian version, courtesy of Ty Warner
(U40...@uicvm.uic.edu) back in 1991
(In response to a previous question on Welsh words and history of said song...)
>From "_FAMOUS SONGS OF WALES 1_" ("_CANEUON ENWOG CYMRU_")
c1987 GWYNN, Penygroes, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL54 6DB
(Tel: 0286 881797)
LLWYN ONN (The Ash Grove)
-------------------------
1. Yn Nyffryn Llwyn Onn draw mi welais hardd feinwen
A minnau'n hamddena 'rl byw ar y don;
Gwyn ewyn y lli oedd ei gwisg, a disgleirwen
A'r glasfor oedd llygaid Gwen harddaf Llwyn Onn.
A ninnau'n rhodiana drwy'r lonydd i'r banna,
Sibrydem i'n gilydd gyfrinach byd serch;
A phan ddaeth hi'n adeg ffarwelio 'r wiwdeg,
Roedd tannau fy nghalon yng ngofal y ferch.
[Down yonder green valley where streamlets meander
When twighlight is fading I pensively rove;
Or at the bright moontide in solitude wander,
Amid the dark shades of the lonely Ash Grove;
'Twas there, while the blackbird was cheerfully singing,
I first met that dear one the joy of my heart!
Around us for gladness the bluebells were ringing,
Ah! then little thought I how soon we should part.]
2. Cyn dychwel i borthladd wynebwn y tonnau,
Ond hyfryd yw'r hafan 'rl dicter y don;
Bydd melys anghofio her greulon y creigiau --
Un felly o'wn innau 'rl cyrraedd Llwyn Onn.
A thawel mordwyo wnaf mwyach Gwenno
Yn llong fach ein bwthyn a hi wrth y llyw;
A hon fydd yr hafan ddiogel a chryno
I'r morwr a'i Wenno tra byddwn ni byw.
[Still glows the bright sunshine o'er valley and mountain,
Still warbles the blackbird its note from the tree;
Still trembles the moonbeam on streamlet and fountain,
But what are the beauties of Nature to me?
With sorrow, deep sorrow, my bosom is laden,
All day I go mourning in search of my love!
Ye echoes! oh tell me, where is the sweet maiden?
"She sleeps 'neath the green turf down by the Ash Grove."]
The book gives the following commentary:
" This is a very old harp melody and was first published
without words by Edward Jones (The King's Harpist) in _THE BARDIC
MUSEUMS_ in 1802. It was published with words, probably some
four years later, in _WELSH MELODIES WITH APPROPRIATE ENGLISH
WORDS_.
" Some authorities maintain that it was originally a dance
tune. If that is so, it does not appear to be as old as some of
the well-known traditional folk dances, as the minuet time is of
a later period, originating in 18th Century France.
" During this century it has been a popular counter-melody for
that unique Welsh practice of Penillion singing.
" The Welsh words used here are of recent date, relating a
sailor's love for Gwen of Llwyn Onn. Oliphant's English words,
however, end with sadness, relating the death of the loved one."
Chris Cochems
The Ash Grove
LLWYN ON
G Am D7
The ash grove, how graceful, how plainly 'tis speaking
G C G D7 G
The harp through it playing has language for me
G Am D7
Whenever the light through its branches is breaking
G C G D7 G
A host of kind faces is gazing on me.
D7 C G
The friends of my childhood again are before me,
Em D A7 D
Each step wakes a mem'ry, as freely I roam.
G Am D7
With soft whispers, it's leaves rustle o're me;
G C G D7 G
The ash grove, the ash grove alone is my home.
My lips smile no more, my heart loses its lightness
No dream of my future my spirit can cheer;
I only can brood on the past and its brightness,
The dead I have mourned are again living here.
From ev'ry dark nook they press forward to meet me;
I lift up my eyes to the broad leafy dome,
And others are there looking downward to greet me;
The ash grove, the ash grove alone is my home.
On mahl-os llween on gint, veh drig-i pen-dev-ig,
Ev-eh oith us-gwi-ahr ok ah-gloo'ith uh wlad;
Ok eeth-o een en-eth uh an-oid un een-ig,
Uh henol eer hon-es oith ire-es i thod.
Eith car-yod you gwail-ed, un lan uh feer lenk-en,
Ond cod-ire us gwi-ahr un ov-ahr ok arch
Ee saith-eer bach gen-en, ond gweer-oth i lin-in
I air-ged un oor-gam ee vun-wes i vairch.
Rhee hweer ud-oith gol-oo uh saith ot uh llin-in,
Ahr llan-kess un mor-oo un well-oo ah gwan;
Bug-uth-yoith i gleh-uv troo-ee gol-on uh llen-kin,
Ond nee red-i car-yod een vod-veth or von.
Royth gol-id i dar-par un hen ok on-een-od,
Uh gur-yi dew eth-av eer ire-ess harth hon,
Oith gwell gen-eev var-oo troo-ee air-ged vung har-yod,
Nah bew gid-da go-leed un muh-ha-lahs llween on.
Have fun,
Chris
--
My candle burns at both ends; | I fish therefore I am.
It will not last the night; | Chris Cochems
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- | Hayward, CA USA
It gives a lovely light! -- Edna St. Vincent Millay | tu...@netcom.com