“Yon Green Valley”
Author: unknown
Earliest date: 1951 (Creighton-Maritime)
Keywords:
loneliness
courting
love
sex
marriage
promise
warning
farewell
abandonment
baby
lover
oldmaid
floatingverses
Found in: Britain(Scotland(Hebr)) Canada(Mar)
Description
Singer tells of a young man who courted her and swore he'd be true; for 11 months he was, but then left. She reminds him of his promise, but he must obey his "father's counsel." She recommends the single life, for "a contented mind bears no slavery."
Cross references
- cf. "Rambleaway" (plot)
- cf. "Must I Go Bound" (lyrics)
- cf. "John (George) Riley (I)" [Laws N36] (lyrics)
Recordings
- Marie Hare, "Green Valley" (on MRMHare01)
References
- Kennedy 168, "Yon Green Valley" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Creighton-Maritime, pp. 86-87, "Yon Green Valley" (2 texts, 1 tune)
- Creighton-SNewBrunswick 51, "Yon Green Vallee" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Manny/Wilson 72, "Green Valley (The First Young Man Came A-Courting Me)" (1 text, 1 tune)
- DT, GOBOUND
- Roud #2125
- BI, K168
The Traditional Ballad Index is copyright ©2008
by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle.
The Digital Tradition is copyright The Mudcat Cafe.