The Ash Grove

Album: Folk Classics (1802)
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Songfacts®:

  • "The Ash Grove" is the English version of "Llywyn Onn," a famous Welsh harp melody. As with most ancient folk songs, there are no definitive lyrics, but what might be called the standard version is similar in content to the English folk song "The Unquiet Grave," though without the supernatural content.
  • "The Ash Grove" was published in Volume I of the 1862 collection Welsh Melodies, With Welsh And English Poetry, by John Jones, Esq. (Talhaiarn), and Thomas Oliphant, Esq...Complete in Two Volumes, By Addison, Hollier and Lucas of London., according to which: 'This Melody was introduced into The Beggar's Opera in 1728 to the words "Cease your funning."'

    There are many other published arrangements including one for women's voices by C. Hahn c1925; an arrangement for men's voices by Thomas Dunhill published in 1926, and an earlier 1835 arrangement for piano (with variations) by Henry Brinley Richards. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments: 4

  • Phe Engelman from Australia Beautiful rendition
    We have been singing it for the last few days trying to remember it and now I just replay your version and sing along
  • Gail from Beaverton, OrIf you need to give me a title, how about "Welsh music fan"? Unfortunately, I don't host that web page anymore because I couldn't afford to keep the domain. I still have the pages offline and someday I hope to put it up again.
  • Emily from Around Chicago, IlNice job, Gail! You're the first I've seen to get a personal note from the editor. Also, I do love this song too. It makes me glad to see songs like this are still appreciated, and I'm only fourteen ;)
  • Gail from Tigard, OrWow! I've never been referred to as a "scholar" before! I did create that web page, and I have gone to school, but I'm not a folklorist or musicologist, so to refer to me as a scholar in this context is a little misleading. I just like the song. (editor's note: we like you Gail and think you're smart - is there a better word we can use to describe you?)
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