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Mudcrutch — Shady Grove
Album: Mudcrutch
Avg rating:
6.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 777









Released: 2008
Length: 3:57
Plays (last 30 days): 0
(Chorus)

Shady Grove, my little love
Shady Grove, I say
Shady Grove, my little love
I'm bound to go away

Cheeks as red as blooming rose
And eyes are the prettiest brown
She's the darling of my heart
Sweetest lil' girl in town

(Chorus)

I wish I had a big fine horse
And corn to feed him on
And Shady Grove to stay at home
And feed him while I'm gone

(Chorus)

Went to see my Shady Grove
Standing in the door
Her shoes and stockin's in her hand
And her little bare feet on the door

(Chorus)

When I was a little boy
I wanted a Barlow knife
Now I want little Shady Grove
To say she'll be my wife

(Chorus)
Comments (166)add comment
Only a 5 for this cover. 
Doc Watson - 10
Fairport Convention - 9
IMHO
Dislike this version. The best in my opinion is Doc Watson's. Bill, please get rid of this one and stick with the best. Thanks!
 Boy_Wonder wrote:
"Matty Groves" is an English folk ballad that describes an adulterous tryst between a man and a woman that is ended when the woman's husband discovers and kills them. It dates to at least the 17th century, and is one of the Child Ballads collected by 19th-century American scholar Francis James Child. It has several variant names, including "Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard."

The wife of a nobleman, Lord Arlen (other names include Lord Daniel, Arnold, Donald, and Barnard), entices Matty Groves (or Little Musgrave), a servant or retainer of her husband, into an adulterous affair. Lord Arlen receives word of the betrayal; in some versions a foot-page hears them planning and warns Lord Arlen; the lord promises reward if he is telling the truth -- to make him his heir, or marry him to his eldest daughter -- and execution if he is lying. The nobleman returns home, where he surprises the lovers in bed. The death may be put off by Matty arguing for a weapon. Lord Arlen kills Matty Groves in a duel. When his wife spurns him and expresses a preference for her lover, even in death, over her husband, he stabs her through the heart. The ballad may end there, or with the lord's death, by suicide or execution. Yet another version has him cutting off his wife's head and kicking it against the wall in anger.

Shady Grove" is an 18th-century folk song popular in the United States. It is a standard in the repertoires of folk, Celtic and bluegrass musicians. Many verses exist, most of them describing the speaker's love for a woman called Shady Grove. There are also various choruses, which refer to the speaker traveling somewhere (to Harlan, to a place called Shady Grove, or simply "away"). Some have said there have been over 300 stanzas written and added as variations. One of the most recognized cover version belongs to Charlene Darling and the Darling boys on an episode of The Andy Griffith Show (Divorce, Mountain Style (1964)), portrayed by Maggie Petersonand The Dillards.

The melody is similar to, and possibly based on, that of an old English ballad, "Matty Groves".


The ultimate version has to be Fairport Convention, when they single handedly created folk-rock... every home should have one


 
ultimate :
you could also give a try to Moriarty's version (2013) in "Matty Groves"
shake yer booty, ja !{#Bananasplit}
The instrumentals on this version are really most excellent, but the vocals knock it down only to Decent for me. 
Bill, please play as many versions of this and "Jack-A-Roe" that your little old heart pleases.
 sans wrote:
Not as special as most Tom Petty songs and the Grisman / Garcia version is among my favorite pieces of music
 I do like the piano and drums but they hammer it too hard.

 

I have that Grisman/Garcia version too and prefer it as well. This is a good take but a bit too crunching...
Completely agree that the definitive version of Matty Groves is Fairport Conventions'!  This was a nice take on it though.
i feel unamerican not liking TP & the heartbreakers. am i redeemed bc i love  this and the traveling willburys?
"Matty Groves" is an English folk ballad that describes an adulterous tryst between a man and a woman that is ended when the woman's husband discovers and kills them. It dates to at least the 17th century, and is one of the Child Ballads collected by 19th-century American scholar Francis James Child. It has several variant names, including "Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard."

The wife of a nobleman, Lord Arlen (other names include Lord Daniel, Arnold, Donald, and Barnard), entices Matty Groves (or Little Musgrave), a servant or retainer of her husband, into an adulterous affair. Lord Arlen receives word of the betrayal; in some versions a foot-page hears them planning and warns Lord Arlen; the lord promises reward if he is telling the truth -- to make him his heir, or marry him to his eldest daughter -- and execution if he is lying. The nobleman returns home, where he surprises the lovers in bed. The death may be put off by Matty arguing for a weapon. Lord Arlen kills Matty Groves in a duel. When his wife spurns him and expresses a preference for her lover, even in death, over her husband, he stabs her through the heart. The ballad may end there, or with the lord's death, by suicide or execution. Yet another version has him cutting off his wife's head and kicking it against the wall in anger.

Shady Grove" is an 18th-century folk song popular in the United States. It is a standard in the repertoires of folk, Celtic and bluegrass musicians. Many verses exist, most of them describing the speaker's love for a woman called Shady Grove. There are also various choruses, which refer to the speaker traveling somewhere (to Harlan, to a place called Shady Grove, or simply "away"). Some have said there have been over 300 stanzas written and added as variations. One of the most recognized cover version belongs to Charlene Darling and the Darling boys on an episode of The Andy Griffith Show (Divorce, Mountain Style (1964)), portrayed by Maggie Petersonand The Dillards.

The melody is similar to, and possibly based on, that of an old English ballad, "Matty Groves".


The ultimate version has to be Fairport Convention, when they single handedly created folk-rock... every home should have one

{#Good-vibes}
 oldsaxon wrote:
it's a riff off "Maddie Groves" it's OLD. these guys do an admirable job of making it contemporary.  First published in 1607.
 
Thank you for the information on this song, oldsaxon! {#Angel}  I appreciate knowing a bit about the songs that I enjoy, such as this one.
it's a riff off "Maddie Groves" it's OLD. these guys do an admirable job of making it contemporary.  First published in 1607.
Much prefer Doc's.
 Boy_Wonder wrote:


NOT AGREED!!!
 
I agree with Agreed. Awful song.
This song is ancient and varied. So many versions of it....thousands, I read somewhere. Very fun that so many versions of it exist.
Not as special as most Tom Petty songs and the Grisman / Garcia version is among my favorite pieces of music… I do like the piano and drums but they hammer it too hard.
 Well get lost then.
barbaraporto wrote:

Agreed
 


 barbaraporto wrote:

Agreed
 

NOT AGREED!!!
This song makes me want to have a go at my ears with knitting needles.
 Shesdifferent wrote:
This is one of the reasons why I turn to PSD, or Pandora or somewhere......too much of this kind of music played on RP
 


Agreed
This is one of the reasons why I turn to PSD, or Pandora or somewhere......too much of this kind of music played on RP
 I feel better now about my two. 

Proclivities wrote:

gilligan

"Gilligan!! Haven't you finished building that bamboo-and-palm-leaf helicopter yet?!"
"But, Skipper, you've got to hear this!"
"What is it, little buddy?" 

Pretty traditional folk chord progression (traditional song), but I couldn't resist using that photo.
 


 Alexandra wrote:
This song would fit perfectly with the chords of the Gilligan's Island themesong.
Just sayin.......
 
gilligan

"Gilligan!! Haven't you finished building that bamboo-and-palm-leaf helicopter yet?!"
"But, Skipper, you've got to hear this!"
"What is it, little buddy?" 

Pretty traditional folk chord progression (traditional song), but I couldn't resist using that photo.
It's okay but I'm still stuck on the Quicksilver version. :)
 ceviche wrote:
So every time for the past 20 years that I have taken the Red Line on the Metro in Washington, DC, which stops in Shady Grove, MD, I think of the Doc Watson version of this song. It's kind of a pleasant little curse.
 
Hope Doc's version is better than Tom's...this verges on self-parody.

Is Shady Grove nicer than Rockville? Every time I go there (rarely now, thank God) there's a little less there there. 
Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale,
a tale of a fateful trip.
That started from this tropic port,
aboard this tiny ship.
 Alexandra wrote:
This song would fit perfectly with the chords of the Gilligan's Island themesong.
Just sayin.......
 
Crap! Thanks a lot!  Stuck in head now and forever.  
Now play Matty Groves by Fairport, the long live version please, por favor
one of my favorte traditionals by one of my favorites, only love Neil, Bob, and the Dead more.
Was sitting there thinking 'Tom's obviously been digging out the old Fairport albums' and lo and behold, I was beaten to the idea that it's the bastard offspring of Matty Groves...

Still, it ain't bad at all!! 
So every time for the past 20 years that I have taken the Red Line on the Metro in Washington, DC, which stops in Shady Grove, MD, I think of the Doc Watson version of this song. It's kind of a pleasant little curse.
 sieversfam wrote:
Is this Mudcrotch band a side gig of Petty's?
 
It was actually Tom Petty's band before "The Heartbreakers".

He decided to 'get the old band back together' for this album

Is this Mudcrotch band a side gig of Petty's?
Bill,  I thought  "Things that Scare me"  was "Shady Grove" when it first came on!   Now you should follow up with " I Scare Easy".  lol
2nd Mudcrutch song in two days. Like it. Ordered cd on Amazon. Looking forward to listening to it for a holiday road trip. Thanks Bill for the introduction. {#Sunny}

 ncollingridge wrote:
Ah yes, the "pop" version of Matty Groves. Doesn't do it for me, I'm afraid - too dry and flat; it just can't begin to compare with Fairport fronted by Sandy Denny's voice.
 
Despite the similarity in melody, they're not the same song—not even close lyric content. "Matty Groves" is the story of a servant, um, servicing his master's wife; they are caught in flagrante delicto, and the master kills them both. "Shady Grove" is a love song; the narrator simply pines for a young lady. "Shady Grove" has a reputed 300+ different verses written over time. Wiki places its origin in the 18th century (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shady_Grove_%28song%29). Wiki also places "Matty Groves" a century earlier (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matty_Groves).

 All that said, IMHO it's entirely possible—indeed probable—that "Matty Groves" migrated to the colonies where it morphed into something entirely different.

What do you do with a drunken sailor, what do you do with a drunken sailor....
 ncollingridge wrote:
Ah yes, the "pop" version of Matty Groves. Doesn't do it for me, I'm afraid - too dry and flat; it just can't begin to compare with Fairport fronted by Sandy Denny's voice.
 
Although the intro reminds me of Matty Groves, I don't think it's a version of the old folk song, the Fairport Convention version of which has been played on RP and is the dog's bollox, no question. I'm not quite sure what Petty's singing about here...

Awesome song. Shitty band name!

My father was a huge fan of the original Kingston Trio and on their live album ...from the Hungry i there is a fantastic rendition of Shady Grove. IMHO it ranks right up there with both the Doc's and the Dead's versions. Would love to here that here in RP!

I prefer the version where I don't nod off as soon as it starts and wake up 3 hours after its over wondering where the time went. . . 

 bachbeet wrote:
I also much prefer Quicksilver's version.  In fact, that whole album of theirs (Shady Grove) is a good one that is too often overlooked.
 
+1

Sodden thought...after making this remarkable album with his original band, an act of vindication as much as love, Petty (and Campbell and Tench) returns to the Heartbreakers and makes Mojo, arguably their best work in at least a decade. Seems like one rejuvenated the other. Pretty cool.
 bachbeet wrote:
I also much prefer Quicksilver's version.  In fact, that whole album of theirs (Shady Grove) is a good one that is too often overlooked.
 
{#Yes}

Hasn't this been playing a bit much recently? I like the tune, don't get me wrong - but hey, the best things get dull if you have too much of 'em.
Ah yes, the "pop" version of Matty Groves. Doesn't do it for me, I'm afraid - too dry and flat; it just can't begin to compare with Fairport fronted by Sandy Denny's voice.
This song would fit perfectly with the chords of the Gilligan's Island themesong.
Just sayin.......
{#Dancingbanana}....got it.

Very nice!
These guys had SUCH fun recording together! It's reflected in the music. TP could have played the "star," but he hung back and let the other band members shine - and they certainly do!  Love this.  I'm glad they reunited and produced this gem of a CD.{#Bounce}
I kept holding it against Mudcrutch for the Tom Petty Factor, but I just can't anymore. 8>>10
 Giselle62 wrote:
this was the first song i learned on guitar and I never get sick of hearing any of these mountain songs: Pretty Polly, Matty Groves, Gypsy Davy —just love em over and over. I particularly love Garcia and Grisman's version of this —-but like Doc Watson a lot, too.
 
I tried to get Ralph Stanley and Patty Loveless's wonderful rendition of that one, but it was sorried and did not do well on the LRC.{#Sad}
this was the first song i learned on guitar and I never get sick of hearing any of these mountain songs: Pretty Polly, Matty Groves, Gypsy Davy —just love em over and over. I particularly love Garcia and Grisman's version of this —-but like Doc Watson a lot, too.
 Shesdifferent wrote:
Again...too much of this style on RP
 

It is not the style that is bad, it is the singer.{#Yes}
Again...too much of this style on RP
I also much prefer Quicksilver's version.  In fact, that whole album of theirs (Shady Grove) is a good one that is too often overlooked.
A bit faster than I'm use to hearing it at all the Scots Games I've been to.. but quite enjoyable!
 TeleFrank wrote:
Can someone tell me what "Mudcrutch" means? Or is it just a fiction name?
Thank you!
 
It was the name of their band in the early 70s, before Petty and the Heartbreakers got really famous.  So if it's slang for anything, it's from before my time. *shrug*
Very nice!!!
Can someone tell me what "Mudcrutch" means? Or is it just a fiction name?
Thank you!
really great song... i just like all of the versions I've heard of this tune... wish i had a needle and thread for sure...
Nice choice Tom... almost anyone can do this song and I'd love it. Version on the Pizza Tapes is my favorite.
 Coaxial wrote:


Maybe because it is?
 

See? That's how good I am!! .........
 WonderLizard wrote:

Word. Jerry Garcia and David Grisman do a version of this on their album Shady Grove—no, really—which is wonderful. QSM's just rocks.

 

{#Clap}
 linzie wrote:
Wow does this sound like it's Tom Petty or what?!
 

Maybe because it is?
 it is he
 
linzie wrote:
Wow does this sound like it's Tom Petty or what?!
 


Wow does this sound like it's Tom Petty or what?!
 rcurrier wrote:
This is a very old traditional English melody that has had many lyrics put to it over the years, by everyone from traveling singers to Fairport Convention to Kantner/Slick and now Mudcrutch. While it originated in England, it came over to America with the settlers and has been passed from player to player, with no need of recordings.

I think it's great that certain tunes take on a life of their own and simply refuse to die.
 
Word. Jerry Garcia and David Grisman do a version of this on their album Shady Grove—no, really—which is wonderful. QSM's just rocks.

 DaveInVA wrote:
This MuddyCrotch version is good but I much prefer Quicksilvers version.
 
Then I'll have to check out Quicksilver's version because I really like this song - grows well.  Thanks for the hot tip.

 DaveInVA wrote:
This MuddyCrotch version is good but I much prefer Quicksilvers version.
 
I concur.

i had a lot of fun dancing the other night to this song with YMSB.    soo good.
And again, I never would have found this little gem without R.P.
That guy Trad sure had a prolific songwriting career
 vandal wrote:

Crudmuch

{#Yawn}
 
Yeah, I'm with you on this one.  Generally don't comment on the stuff I don't like, but I find the lyrics so repetitive and the guitar so much twangier than necessary I had to express it.
I love this version of this song.
This MuddyCrotch version is good but I much prefer Quicksilvers version.
 vandal wrote:

Crudmuch

{#Yawn}

 

I heartily disagree, but this is still pretty funny.
 LBHK007 wrote:
Garcia, Grisman, and Rice did this on the Pizza Tapes better than anyone before or since.  Like this version, but that jam has this and others hands down....

 

I don't know about that, the pizza tapes where a practice session that made it to a release. There is some good picking on there version but Garcia's vocals did not leave much to be desired.
Garcia, Grisman, and Rice did this on the Pizza Tapes better than anyone before or since.  Like this version, but that jam has this and others hands down....

The story of these guys getting back together to make music after so many years is very cool.
 jadewahoo wrote:
Not a bad rendition of this song, though the Quicksilver Messenger Service's excellent take on it is the standard by which all (R n' R) versions will forever be judged.
 


this is great! very garage band and earthy
 jadewahoo wrote:
Not a bad rendition of this song, though the Quicksilver Messaenger Service's excellent take on it is the standard by which all (R n' R) versions will forever be judged.
 

So very true. Ah those acid tinged songs. Loved the Shady Grove album, and thanks for the flashback

This is a great version too.
 sdn wrote:
It does blow my mind hearing Tom Petty sing a song that I'd only ever heard done by Sandy Denny and Fairport Convention before, though! 
 Jerry Garcia & David Grisman were also really into this tune.


I must grudgingly give this a 7, because it really is quite good.

It does blow my mind hearing Tom Petty sing a song that I'd only ever heard done by Sandy Denny and Fairport Convention before, though! 
 wafaa wrote:
I also love Doc Watson's.  {#Notworthy}
 

Ditto!  I grew up listening to Doc on Saturday mornings.  This version is definitely doing it for me, too, though.
 holborne wrote:
I'm really shocked, genuinely shocked, that at this late date in Web 2.0 there are still people who don't know enough not to respond to trolls.

 
Oh, haven't you heard? We're skipping version 2.0 of Web. It's slow, riddled with bugs and doesn't deliver any real improvements. They just changed the name and location of a few things and slapped a prettier interface on it to trick us in to "upgrading."

 wafaa wrote:
I also love Doc Watson's.  {#Notworthy}
 


Love those hammer-ons! {#Bananajam}{#Dancingbanana_2}
 jeepstir wrote:

calebstewart, you're probably right, it's the only way he can get any attention.

 
Yes, well, good thing you're giving it to him then, isn't it?

I'm really shocked, genuinely shocked, that at this late date in Web 2.0 there are still people who don't know enough not to respond to trolls. Especially someone who's been around here long enough to know who physicsgenius is.

btw, Excelsior is gone and reincarnated as fluffybum. I guess you'll get busy responding to every stupid post by fluffybum now, so that you can make sure he stays around.


Mudcrotch - Shady Groove? How very rude...
 Excelsior wrote:
This AGAIN?? Good grief.
 
This must be one miserable, sad, unhappy person. Nothing but negative comments, and more 1 ratings than anyone I've ever seen on here on RP, even Physicsgenius. Ya have to wonder why he even bothers to tune in. calebstewart, you're probably right, it's the only way he can get any attention.



{#Boohoo} ,,being an eclecticist i like it,#7.

wow...this is cool...wasn't expecting this from mr. petty........
I like Tom Petty
I also love Doc Watson's.  {#Notworthy}
Not a bad rendition of this song, though the Quicksilver Messaenger Service's excellent take on it is the standard by which all (R n' R) versions will forever be judged.
{#Hearteyes}
Tom did great job on a classic, have quite a few versions of it and was pleasantly suprised when I heard this one
Nice version.  I've got the Kingston Trio's & Doc Watson's versions in my collection.  Yeah:  I appear to prefer Doc Watson's the most.  I'm a guitar guy.  What else can I say?
Yes, very nice.
nice
 lathyris wrote:

He's trying so, so hard to be the next Physicsgenius, but PG was actually amusing and clever.
 
Yeah, I miss PG's humor. He hasn't been around here for a couple of years now.

i gave it a nine to get the average up. sure is nice to hear a blue grass standard once in a while.
Eclectic applies to the variety of music that is played, not a song in particular.  (Bill plays lots of different genres of music, therefore RP is eclectic).

 Shesdifferent wrote:
I don't consider this very eclectic.
 

This is in too heavy of a rotation. I'm quickly getting tired of it. 3 and rapidly declining, from what would have been at least a 6 if it was only played once in awhile.

I don't consider this very eclectic.
Wimpy
(Ohio USA)
Posted: Sep 06, 2008 - 05:45 < Reply >

 ronniegirl wrote:

Got it too.   Somewhere.  Like their version much better.

  ———————

The Quicksilver version had Nicky Hopkins on the piano.  Great stuff
Right!  (This version = meh)


i wonder what they were doing when they decided on their group name - hey Man, your crutch is really muddy - doh?

but they sound ok
{#Clap}
Yep love this folky style. {#Jump}
The more I hear this song the more I like it.
A Mudcrutch song I don't hate!
 rubenbeagle wrote:
Surely one of the best (maybe the best) version I have heard of this song........great instrumentation and vocals.
 
Dig. I really like Tom Petty's take on bluegrass. Cool.

c.

 calebstewart wrote:
I'm awfully curious, Excelsior — since you seem to spend so much time denigrating the songs on RP's playlist, why on earth don't you find another radio station?

Oh, wait, I just got it — you're a troll who can't get attention any other way.

Here ya go, hon — have another handful of Bugles.
 
 
He's trying so, so hard to be the next Physicsgenius, but PG was actually amusing and clever.
Yes, again - thankfully one of the best CD's in the last couple of years is in heavy rotation.



I'm awfully curious, Excelsior — since you seem to spend so much time denigrating the songs on RP's playlist, why on earth don't you find another radio station?

Oh, wait, I just got it — you're a troll who can't get attention any other way.

Here ya go, hon — have another handful of Bugles.
 


This AGAIN?? Good grief.
Don't forget The Darlings' (really The Dillards') version, from The Andy Griffith Show!

 ronniegirl wrote:


Got it too.   Somewhere.  Like their version much better.

 

The Quicksilver version had Nicky Hopkins on the piano.  Great stuff