Down in the Valley (folk song)

Down in the Valley (folk song)
"Down in the Valley"
("Birmingham Jail")
Written by Traditional
Language English
Form Ballad

"Down in the Valley", also known as "Birmingham Jail", is a traditional American folk song.[1][2][3] It has been recorded by many artists, and is included in the Songs of Expanding America recordings in the Burl Ives six-album set Historical America in Song.

Contents

Lyrics

Down in the valley, valley so low
Hang your head over, hear the wind blow
Hear the wind blow, dear, hear the wind blow;
Hang your head over, hear the wind blow.
Roses love sunshine, violets love dew,
Angels in Heaven know I love you,
Know I love you, dear, know I love you,
Angels in Heaven know I love you.
Build me a castle, forty feet high;
So I can see her as she rides by,
As she rides by, dear, as she rides by,
So I can see her as she rides by.
"If you don't love me, love whom you please,"
"Throw your arms round me, give my heart ease,"
"Give my heart ease, dear, give my heart ease,"
"Throw your arms round me, give my heart ease,"
Write me a letter, send it by mail;
Send it in care of the Birmingham jail,
Birmingham jail, dear, Birmingham jail,
Send it in care of the Birmingham jail.
Roses love sunshine, violets love dew,
Angels in Heaven know I love you,
Know I love you, dear, know I love you,
Angels in Heaven know I love you.

Lyrics vary, as with most folk songs and it is a ballad played in the 3/4 time signature. The most notable change in lyrics, and title, is Leadbelly's performance of the tune as Birmingham Jail

Pop Culture

This song is sung by Erland Van Lidth De Jeude in the 1980 comedy movie Stir Crazy starring Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder in which they are sent to prison after being wrongfully convicted of a bank robbery.

In the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Dark Page", an illusion of Deanna Troi's father sings the song in the form of a lullaby.

References

  1. ^ Ken and Janice Tate, Favorite Songs of the Good Old Days (p. 29). Berne, Indiana: DRG (Dynamic Resource Group), 2005. ISBN 1-59217-034-X.
  2. ^ Lyrics. "Down In The Valley". Bluegrass Lyrics.Com. http://www.bluegrasslyrics.com/flatt_song.cfm-recordID=sp394.htm. 
  3. ^ MIDI file. "Down In The Valley". Popular Songs in American History. http://www.contemplator.com/tunebook/america/downvaly.htm. 

External links

Bibliography

  • Boas, Frank (ed.). The Journal of American Folk-Lore Vol. XXX (July–September 1917) No. CXVII. Lancaster, Pennsylvania: American Folk-Lore Society.



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