Shady Grove

Song composer(s)

Traditional

Grateful Dead Recordings

Not recorded by the Dead

Dead Related Recordings

Shady Grove : Jerry Garcia & David Grisman (1997)

Other Recordings

Instrumental Music Of The Southern Appalachians : Various Artists (Mrs Edd Presnell) (1956)
To You with Love: American Folk Songs for Women : Herta Marshall (1957)
Banjo Tunes & Songs : Pete Steele (1958)
A Folk Concert in Town Hall, New York : Ritchie, Brand and Sear (1959)
Tom Paley (195?)
Dulcimer Songs & Solos : Paul Clayton (1962)
Old-Time Music at Clarence Ashley's, Vol 2 : Various Artists (Clarence Ashley w/ Jack Burchett) (1962)
Hedy West : Hedy West (1963)
Good Time : Rooftop Singers (1964)
Folk Box : Tom Paley (1964)
Long Journey Home : The Kentucky Colonels (1964)
The Appalachian Dulcimer, An Instructional Record : Jean Ritchie (1964)
Adcock Family (1965)
Good Deal - Doc Watson In Nashville : Doc Watson (1968)
Marching Across The Green Grass and Other American Children's Game Songs : Jean Ritchie (1968)
Roots : The Everly Brothers (1968)
Country Songs and Tunes with Autoharp : Kilby Snow (1969)
From The 'Hungry I' : Kingston Trio (196?)
Obray Ramsey Sings Folk Songs From The Three Laurels : Obray Ramsey (196?)
Best Of : Jean Ritchie (196?)
Blue Ridge Mountain Music : Mountain Ramblers (196?)
All The Way Home : Gary Scruggs (1970)
Conley Varble & the Country Playboys (1971)
Rufus Crisp : Rufus Crisp (1972)
The Essential Doc Watson : Doc Watson (1974)
Memories : Doc Watson (1975)
Livin' In The Past : Kentucky Colonel's (1975)
Liberty : Kyle Creed (1977)
Dulcimer Instruction Album : Kevin Roth (1979)
Ladies Choice : Any Old Time String Band (1980)
Dr. Banjo Steps Out : Peter Wernick (1982)
By Heart : Bryan Bowers (1982)
Live : Red Knuckles & Hot Rize (1982)
Traveller's Choice : Common Ground (1982)
Kentucky Music - Old Time Music From Kentucky : Prairie Ramblers (1983)
Love, Hell & Biscuits : Hedy West (1984)
Amazing Grace : Jean Ritchie (1986)
Old Time Ways : Luther Davis (1986)
Rounder Old Time Music : Various Artists (Wade Ward) (1988)
The Watson Family : Doc Watson (CD only) (1990)
Songs For Little Pickers : Doc Watson (1990)
Bluegrass 1959-1969 : Bill Monroe (1991)
Original Folkways Recordings of Doc Watson and Clarence Ashley, 1960-1962 : Clarence Ashley & Doc Watson (1994)
Folk Music From Newport, Vol. 1 : Various Artists (Bill Monroe w/ Peter Rowan & Tex Logan) (1995)
I Bid You Goodnight : Any Old Time String Band (1996)
There Ain't No Way Out : New Lost City Ramblers (1997)
Hollow Rock String Band : Hollow Rock String Band (19??)
Ragged But Right - Great Country Bands of the 1930s : Various Artists (Prairie Ramblers) (19??)
Paramount Old-Time Tunes : Various Artists (Kentucky Thorobreds) (19??)
Crystal Creek (19??)

Performance History

Played by the Sleepy Hollow Hog Stompers in San Carlos on June 11th 1962.

Not performed by the Grateful Dead. Occurs only on pre-Dead tapes featuring future members of the dead.

Notes

Here's the full lyrics of the version performed by the Sleepy Hollow Hog Stompers

(Chorus)
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.

Chorus...

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

Chorus...

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.

Chorus...

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

Chorus...

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

Chorus...