THE ASH GROVE
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Time signature: 3/4
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Traditional Welsh folksong (first published in 1802)
Welsh Lyrics published: John Jones (1862) English Lyrics 1: Thomas Oliphant (1862) English Lyrics 2: John Oxenford |
UNDER CONSTRUCTION: Notation and youTube keys need to be checked.
Accordion Notation
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Beats per bar = 3
Beat symbol = Dot ( . ) or equivalent |
Inside row = Buttons 4* - 8 plus o10*
A single accidental (in line 6) is problematic for playing this tune accurately on the outside row. You might try substituting button .8 for button .o10* if you really want to play the tune on the outside row. |
Verse 1 (of 3) of Oxenford Lyrics
.5 | .6 .7 '"8 '8* | .7 .6 .6 | .7* "8* "7 "7* "6 | .6* .5
The ash grove, how grace-ful, how plain - ly__ 'tis___ speak-ing
.5 | .6 "7 "7* "6 "6* | .5* .4* .5* | .5 .6 .6* | :6
The harp through it play-ing has lan-guage for me
.5 | .6 .7 '"8 '8* | .7 .6 .6 | .7* "8* "7 "7* "6 | .6* .5
When - ev-er the__ light through its branch - es__ is __ break-ing
.5 | .6 "7 "7* "6 "6* | .5* .4* .5* | .5 .6 .6* | :6 |
A host of__ kind__ fa - ces is gaz-ing on me.
.5 | .6 .7 .8 | .8 .8* .7 | .7* .8* .8* | .8* .7
The friends of my child-hood a - gain are be - fore me
.7* | .6 .7 .7 | .7 .7* .6 | .7* .8 .o10* | :8
Each step wakes a mem-'ry as free-ly I roam
.5 | .6 .7 '"8 '8* | .7 .6 .6 | .7* "8* "7 "7* "6 | .6* .5
With soft whis-pers__ la - den its leaves rus__ - tle___ o'er me
.5 | .6 "7 "7* "6 6* | .5* .4* .5* | .5 .6 .6* | :6
The ash grove, the__ ash grove a - gain is my home
Embedded youTube VIDEOS
Twelve videos in various keys: Ab=1 C=2 D=1 Eb=2 E=2 F=2 F,Bb,Eb=1 G,C=1
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Key: Eb
Singer: Roger Whittaker Posted by: Joao Soares de Fonseca Lyrics: Oxenford |
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Key: F
Singers: Amelia Tobiason and ? Posted by: la harpe de melodie Lyrics: Oxenford & Oliphant |
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Key: F from time 0 to 1:12
Bb from 1:21 to 2:21 Eb from 2:30 to 3:37 (near END) Singer: Laura Wright Posted by: mcessna89 Lyrics: Oxenford & Oliphant |
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Key: E
Singer: Nana Mouskouri Posted by: DoctorSyn11 Lyrics: Oxenford |
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Key: E
Singer: ? Posted by: jtank36 Lyrics: Oxenford |
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Key: Ab
Group: Die Haghe Sanghers Charles v.d.Veeke, Dirigent Posted by: Peter Hickendorff Lyrics: Oliphant |
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Key: G from time 0 to 1:50
C from 1:51 to 2:45 Group: The King's Singers Posted by: oiznas Lyrics: Oliphant Number of musical interludes between pairs of lines of singing. |
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Key: Eb
Singer: John Whitehead Posted by: John Whitehead Lyrics: Oliphant |
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Key: F
Singers: ? Posted by: RocknMuzic Lyrics: Oliphant & Oxenford ... plus |
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Key: D
Guitarist: Tamer Zeynioglu Posted by: Tamer Zeynioglu Short guitar instrumental. |
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Key: C
Guitarist: Richard Thurstans Posted by: richard thurstans Instrumental - first half is regular tempo, second half slower. |
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Key: C
Pianist: ? Posted by: Caliko Kat A short instrumental performance |
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Background Materials, Information & Links
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Lyrics
Oxenford: Oliphant: |
There are many English versions (translations or interpretations) of the Welsh lyrics, verses of two of which are included here:
The ash grove, how graceful, how plainly 'tis speaking The harp wind through it playing has language for me Whenever the light through its branches is breaking A host of kind faces is gazing on me The friends of my childhood again are before me Each step wakes a memory as freely I roam With soft whispers laden its leaves rustle o'er me The ash grove, the ash grove again is my home My lips smile no more, my heart loses its lightness; No dream of the future my spirit can cheer. I only can brood on the past and its brightness The dear ones I long for again gather here. From ev'ry dark nook they press forward to meet me; I lift up my eyes to the broad leafy dome, And others are there, looking downward to greet me The ash grove, the ash grove, again is my home. Down yonder green valley where streamlets meander When twilight is fading I pensively rove Or at the bright noontide in solitude wander Amid the dark shades of the lonely ash grove 'Twas there while the blackbird was cheerfully singing I first met that dear one, the joy of my heart Around us for gladness the bluebells were ringing The ash grove, the ash grove, that sheltered my home Still glows the bright sunshine o'er valley and mountain, Still warbles the blackbird its note from the tree; Still trembles the moonbeam on streamlet and fountain, But what are the beauties of nature to me? With sorrow, deep sorrow, my bosom is laden, All day I go mourning in search of my love; Ye echoes, oh, tell me, where is the sweet maiden? "She sleeps, 'neath the green turf down by the ash grove." |
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Background Links:
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