Green Valley- Mrs. Anderson (Aber) 1909 Greig-Duncan
[From Greig-Duncan Collection 6, p. 282.
The Green Valley, was collected by Grieg from Mrs. Anderson of Aberdeenshire, Scotland who was the mother-in-law of J.B. Duncan one of the collectors of the Greig-Duncan Collection. Although this variant was collected in 1909, it clearly dates back far into the 1800s. This version has no stanzas in common with Died for Love, however the theme is very clear: she was courted secretly by a false young man who was presumably engaged to marry someone else. When she became pregnant, he left saying he must return to carry out his father's wishes. The 7th stanza, when she admires "his yellow hair," is reminiscent of "the colour of amber" stanza found in the Appalachian song, "Black is the Colour."
R. Matteson 2017]
"The Green Valley," sung by Mrs. Anderson of Aberdeenshire, Scotland in November of 1909.
1. A young man courted me all on sly,
And to his wishes I did comply.
'Twas his false vows and his flattering tongue,
That beguiled me when I was young.
2. In yon green valley as we sat down
There was no one there but the wee birds round
They changed their sweet notes from tree to tree
And we sweetly joined in their melody
3. For nine long months he proved kind,
Soon after that he changed his mind.
He changed his mind to some high degree
And said farewell to yon green valley.
4. O hold him fast don't let him go
For he is mine, right well he knows
Don't you make the promises you made me
As we sat down in yon green valley.
5 I mind the promise I made to thee,
As we sat down in yon green valley,
But my father's counsel I maun obey,
So goodbye darling, I'm away.
6. Oh since he's gone and I wish him well,
For to get married I hear them tell.
But his innocent babe I'll nurse and train,
And trust no more in a young man's vows.
7. Why need I think of his yellow hair
His ruby lips need I compare
His twa dark eyes and his flattering tongue,
That beguiled me when I was young.
8. I'll sing one verse and I'll sing no more
I'll sing that verse right o'er and o'er
I'll change my mind with the rising wind
And trust no more in false mankind.