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:

Last NiteThe Strokes

The Strokes admitted to purloining Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers' "American Girl" for their hit "Last Nite."

Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)Beyoncé

Beyoncé married Jay-Z five months before releasing "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)," a song she sang in character as her alter-ego, Sasha Fierce.

Don't Go Breaking My HeartElton John and Kiki Dee

Elton John had a huge hit duetting with Kiki Dee on "Don't Go Breaking My Heart," but he's also performed it with RuPaul and Miss Piggy.

Talk To Ya LaterThe Tubes

"Talk To Ya Later" proved the power of MTV when sales of Tubes albums picked up in markets like Tulsa, Oklahoma, where the network was available.

Here I Go AgainWhitesnake

Whitesnake's "Here I Go Again" is a very inspiring song, but it's really about heartbreak: David Coverdale wrote it when his first marriage was falling apart.

Party DollBuddy Knox & the Rhythm Orchids

The rockabilly sound was big in the late 1950s, when Buddy Holly was popular. One of the biggest hits in that genre was the #1 "Party Doll" by Buddy Knox, which used a cardboard box filled with cotton as the drums.