The Shadow of the Pine
[Usually titled, "In the Shadow of the Pines" this song was recorded by Bascom Lamar Lunsford, Turkey Creek, Buncombe county, NC and also the Cater Family (1936). It appears to be an unknown parlor song from the 1800s. Several versions appear in the Brown (1937) and Wolf collections. I've added Lunsford's text to complete the third verse which Crabtree's informant could not finish. Crabtree's line divisions are questionable throughout- see Lunford's version.
R. Matteson 2014]
The Shadow of the Pine
We wandered through the shadow of the pine my love and I,
The wind was blowing freshly from the sea.
When a sudden, fitful darkness,
Came across the summer sky.
And a shadow came between my love and me.
Some hasty words were spoken
And then almost unaware,
Hasty answers too, with thinking[1] angrily.
And our heartsick bitter longing,
And our weeping and our prayers
Never can make those false and cruel words unsaid.
Come back to me, Sweetheart,
And love me as before.
Come back, back to me, sweet-heart,
And leave me never more;
In life's dull pathway
The sun no longer shines,
Come, love, and meet me,
In the shadow of the pine.
You took the ring I gave you,
And you cast a glance at me,
And held the jeweled twinkling in your hand.
Then you turned aside and tossed it
In the waters of the sea,
When the waves were splashing
Idle on the sand.
You went your way unheeded,
Though tears I could not hide,
You went your way and not one word was said.
While my stubborn heart was breaking
Underneath its mask of pride
And the pine trees sobbed in pity overhead.
I awoke from bitter dreaming,
But to call aloud your name;
I sleep again to dream of you once more.
And my stubborn pride has melted,
I admit I was to blame,
[Forgive me, dear, and love me as before.
For the future is over shadowed
With the darkness of despair,
In the sky of life love no longer shines.
And I'd give the whole world gladly
Once again to meet you there.
Reunited in the shadow of the pine.]
1. unthinking anger led.
______________________
'In the Shadow of the Pines.' Sung by Bascom Lamar Lunsford, Turkey Creek, Buncombe county. No date given.
We wandered through the shadow of the pines, my love and I,
As the wind was blowing freshly from the sea;
When the sudden, fitful darkness stole a cross the summer sky.
And the shadow came between my love and me.
Some hasty words were spoken and almost unawares,
Hasty answers to unthinking anger led.
And our hearts felt bitter longings, and our weepings and our prayers
Ne'er can make those false and cruel words unsaid.
Come back to me, sweetheart, and love me as before. —
Fly back to me, sweetheart, and leave me never more;
In life's dark pathway the sun no longer shines,
Come, love, and meet me, in the shadow of the pines.
2nd stanza :
You took the ring I gave you, nor cast a glance at me,
As you held the jeweled trinket in your hand;
And then you turned and tossed it in the waters of the sea,
When the waves were splashing idly on the sand,
You went your way unheeding the tears I could not hide,
You went your way and not a word was said.
But my stubborn heart was breaking underneath its mask of pride
And the pine trees sobbed in pity overhead.
3rd stanza:
I awoke from bitter dreamings, but to call aloud your name;
I sleep again to dream of you once more;
And my stubborn pride has left me, I admit I was to blame,
Forgive me, dear, and love me as before.
For the future is o'ershadowed with the darkness of despair,
In the sky of life love no longer shines,
And I'd give the whole world gladly once again to meet you there.
Reunited in the shadow of the pines.
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IN THE SHADOW OF THE PINES- Carter Family 1936
We had wandered in the shadow of the pines
The moon looked down on you and me
And a darkness stole across the summer sky
And a shadow came between my love and me
Oh, darling, come love me as before
Come back to leave me nevermore
At that spot I'm sad and lonely
And the sun no longer shines
Come and meet me in the shadow of the pines
[INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]
Oh, you went away and left me and my tears I could not hide
You went away and not a word was said
While my throbbing heart was breaking underneath its load of pride
And the pine trees sobbed in pity o'er my head
Oh, darling, come love me as before
Come back to leave me nevermore
At that spot I'm sad and lonely
And the sun no longer shines
Come and meet me in the shadow of the pines
[INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]
All our future is o'er shadowed by the darkness of despair
And across life's path the sun no longer shines
Oh, I'd give this whole world gladly once again to meet her there
And reunite in the shadow of the pines
Oh, darling, come love me as before
Come back to leave me nevermore
At that spot I'm sad and lonely
And the sun no longer shines
Come and meet me in the shadow of the pines