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Traditional - The Well Below the Valley

from Samhain's March: A Winter Journey by James Olin Oden

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about

This haunting ballad is is a dark tale of incest and murder. The lyrics come pretty much from the version Christy Moore did on the Planxty album “The Well Below the Valley”.

lyrics

A gentlemen was passing by,
He asked for a drink as he got dry,
(refrain)
At the well below the valley-O
Green grows the Lilly-O,
Right among the bushes-O.

Me cup is filled up to the brim,
If I was to stoup I might fall in.

If your true love was passing by,
You’d hand him a cup if he got dry.

She swore be grass, she swore be corn,
That her true love had never been born.

He said “Young maid your swearing wrong,
For six fine children you have born.”

She said, “If you be a man of noble deed,
You’ll tell to me the father of them.

There’s two be your uncle Dan.

There’s two be your brother John.

There’s two be your father dear.

I you be a man of noble ‘steem,
You’ll tell to me what did happen to them.

There’s two buried neath the stable door.

There’s two buried neath the kitchen door.

There’s two buried beneath the well.

If you be a man of noble deed,
You’ll tell to me what will happen me self.

You’ll spend seven years a ringing the bell.

You’ll spend seven more a portin’ in Hell.

I’ll spend seven years a ringing the bell,
But the Lord above may save me soul,
From portin’ in Hell,
At the well below the valley-O
Green grows the lilly-O,
Right among the bushes-O.

credits

from Samhain's March: A Winter Journey, track released May 20, 2011
Tony Dixon Low D Whistle, Classical Guitar, Vocals - James Olin Oden
Fiddle, Vocals - Caitlin Cary
Double Bass - David Pitts

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James Olin Oden Raleigh, North Carolina

It's always been about what moves the heart. The songs I sing are compelling stories whose telling must be told over and over again. The stories range from dark acts that should not be forgotten to the silly revelries that we should never forsake. My hope is that as my heart is moved by the music so too may yours be moved.

Sláinte Mhór...James

Licks and Lyrics Interview on WCOM 103.5: http://t ... more

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