Where did the song Shady Grove originate?
" Shady Grove " is a traditional Appalachian folk song (Roud 4456), believed to have originated in eastern Kentucky around the beginning the 20th century. It is set in Dorian mode and was first published in the Journal of American Folklore, dated 1915. There is speculation that the name Shady Grove may be a place-name, a woman's name, or possibly a mondegreen. The song has been widely adopted in the repertoire of bluegrass, as well as being common among old-time musicians of the Cumberlands. Sung by both traditional folk musicians and folk revival musicians, it is sometimes identified as a courting song. The song describes "the true love of a young man's life and his hope they will wed."
What is the song "Shady Grove" about?
The song describes "the true love of a young man's life and his hope they will wed.". Many variants of "Shady Grove" exist (up to 300 stanzas by the early 21st century).