Yon Green Valley- Bruce Laurenson (Shetland) 1952
[From: Kennedy, Folksongs of Britain & Ireland (1975) p. 368. Was a cover song for Frankie Armstrong, Debra Cowan and Chris Coe. Text supplied from Cowan's version and may not be identical to Kennedy's text.
The last stanza is found similarly in "The Rover/I am a Rover" song dating back to the mid-1800s.
R. Matteson 2017]
Yon Green Valley- sung by Bruce Laurenson of Bressay, Shetland collected by Patrick Shuldham-Shaw in 1952.
For a young man courted me earnest-lie
It was with his wishes I did comply
It was his false vows and flattering tongue
He beguiled me love when I was young
In yon green valley we both went down
Where the pretty small birds come a-whistling 'round
Changing their notes from tree to tree
As the sun arose on yon green valley
As I sat down by my love's right hand
He swore by Heaven, by sea and land
That the rising sun he would never see
If ever he proved false to me
For eleven long months he proved true and kind
But a short time after he changed his mind
He changed his mind to a high degree
And he bade farewell to yon green valley
O hold him fast, don't you let him go
For he his mine, and it's well he knows
Don't you mind of the promise you made to me
As the sun arose on yon green valley?
“I mind of the promise I made to you
But I'll have nothing more to do with you
My father's counsel I must obey
So it's goodbye, darling, I must away”
O if he's gone, then I wish him well
For to get married as I hear tell
My innocent babe I will tender care
Of his false promise let him beware
O am I married, or am I free
Or am I bound, love, to marry thee?
A single life is the best I see
A contented mind bears no slavery.