Mel, Mel & Julian
Traditional/Public Domain
Story
Mel & Mel were fortunate to have friends who owned extensive record collections... and upon hearing Jean Ritchie's version of this old Appalachian love lament, they included it in their repertoire. Its origins are unknown although one can recognize pieces of several songs from the Civil War era. This was another accapella song in their repertoire... an opportunity for Julian to rest his fingers!
Lyrics
Down in some lone valley, in a lonesome place
Where the wild birds do whistle and their notes do increase
Farewell pretty Saro, I'll bid you adieu
And I'll dream of pretty Saro where ever I go
My love, she won't have me, so I understand
She wants a freeholder and I have no land
I can not maintain her with silver and gold
Nor buy her all the fine things that a big house can hold
If I were a merchant and could write a fine hand
I'd write my love a letter so she'd understand
I'll wander by the river where the waters o'erflow
And I'll dream of pretty Saro where ever I go