Lonesome Dove

[eurydicebound]

This is a U.S. folk song of indeterminate origin, apparently, though it's known in Appalachia and throughout the South in one variant or another. I learned it in chorus back the in the day, and I'd forgotten it until tonight. Somehow it always struck a chord with me.



Oh don't you see that lonesome dove
That flies from vine to vine
It's mourning for its own true love
Just like I mourn for mine

Oh don't you see that lonesome dove
That flies so high degree
And ain't it hard for me to die
For the girl that don't love me

Just like I mourn for mine, my love
Believe me what I say
You are the darling of my heart
Until my dying day

The crow is black you know, my love
Although it may turn white
If ever I prove false to thee
Bright day will turn to night

Bright day will turn to night, my love
Believe me what I say
You are the darling of my heart
Until my dying day

I wish I were ten thousand mile
Or on some distant shore
Or down in some low valley place
Where wild beasts howl and roar

Where wild beasts howl and roar, my love
Believe me what I say
You are the darling of my heart
Until my dying day