The Ash Grove by Traditional

Album: Folk Classics (1802)

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?)

see more comments

More Songfacts:

ChandelierSia

Sia planned to quit her solo career after her 2014 album 1000 Forms of Fear, but the "Chandelier" video proved so popular it drew her back in.

Rapper's DelightThe Sugarhill Gang

The first rap song to make the Hot 100 was "Rapper's Delight" by The Sugarhill Gang in 1979. At the time, many considered rap a fad that would soon pass.

I Remember EverythingZach Bryan

Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves had both gone through divorces when they wrote and recorded the wrenching duet "I Remember Everything." It was the first #1 Hot 100 hit for each of them.

Foolish BeatDebbie Gibson

Debbie Gibson was 17 years old when "Foolish Beat" topped the Hot 100. This gave her the honor of becoming the youngest artist ever to write, perform, and produce a #1 single.

Up-Up and AwayThe 5th Dimension

Jimmy Webb was inspired to write The 5th Dimension song "Up-Up and Away" after seeing a hot-air balloon his friend flew on promotions for the Southern California radio station KMEN.

Thinking About YouCalvin Harris

"Thinking About You" was the ninth track from Calvin Harris' 18 Months album to enter the UK singles Top 10. No other artist has obtained so many hits from one LP - Michael Jackson was the previous record holder with seven Top 10 tunes from both his Bad and Dangerous sets.