Down in the Valley
This song was sung by the Kentucky mountaineers in the early 1800's.
Down in the Valley
Folk Song
Down in the valley, valley so low
Hang your head over, hear the wind blow.
Hear the wind blow, dear, hear the wind blow,
Hang your head over, hear the wind blow.
Bird in a cage, dear, bird in a cage,
Dying for freedom, dying a slave.
Ever a slave, dear, ever a slave,
Dying for freedom, dying a slave.
If you don't love me, love whom you please,
Throw your arms 'round me, give my heart ease.
Give my heart ease, dear, give my heart ease,
Throw your arms 'round me, give my heart ease.
Write me a letter, send it by mail,
Send it in care of Birmingham jail.
Birmingham jail, dear, Birmingham jail,
Send it in care of Birmingham jail.
Writing this letter, containing three lines,
Answer my question, "Will you be mine?"
"Will you be mine, dear, will you be mine?"
Answer my question, "Will you be mine?"
Roses love sunshine, violets love dew,
Angels in heaven know I love you,
Know I love you, dear, know I love you,
Angels in heaven know I love you.
Notes
Different variations of this song exist.
*****
"Q" from Mudcat wrote: "'Hang your head over' in the song is an idiom that is difficult to put in a word. Idiomatic and dialectical. Essentially, 'Hang your head over, hear the wind blow' means one must take what comes, you can't change what will happen. Not quite 'Que sera, sera'. Or, bow your head and endure..."
Thanks!
Thanks!
