Wildwood Flower- Version 1 Original Lyrics

Wildwood Flower- Version 1
Maud Irving and J.P. Webster- 1860 

 

I'll Twine Mid the Ringlets/Wildwood Flower 

Old-Time Parlor Song; Words and Music Maud Irving and J.P. Webster- 1860

ARTIST: Lyics from Maud Irving and J.P. Webster- 1860

CATEGORY: Fiddle and Instrumental Tunes

EARLIEST DATE: 1860- Sheet music Maud Irving and J.P. Webster

RECORDING INFO: Wildwood Flower [Me II-E10] - Webster, J. P./Irving, Maud

Rt - Forsaken Lover ; Wildwood Flower Revisted; Pale Amarylis
At - I'll Twine Mid the Ringlets
Rm - Sinking of the Reuben James
Mf - Texas State Anthem
Snyder, Jerry (arr.) / Golden Guitar Folk Sing Book, Hansen, Fol (1972), p126
Wernick, Peter (ed.) / Bluegrass Songbook, Oak, Sof (1976), p 96
Silverman, Jerry (ed.) / Folksingers Guitar Guide, Oak, Sof (1961), p41
Lynn, Frank (ed.) / Songs for Swinging Housemothers, Fearon, Sof (1963/1961), p262
Visconti, Carl (ed.) / Paint Creek Folklore Society Song Tune Book, Paint Creek, Sof (1986), p34
Sing Out Reprints, Sing Out, Sof (1959), 3, p 3
Leisy, James F. (ed.) / Hootenanny Tonight!, Gold Medal Books, sof (1964), p 34
Miller Jr., E. John; & Michael Cromie / Folk Guitar, Quadrangle, Bk (1968), p 46
Miller Jr., E. John; & Michael Cromie / Folk Guitar, Quadrangle, Bk (1968), p104
Albert E Brumley's Songs of the Pioneers, Brumley, Fol (1970), 7
Silverman, Jerry / Folksingers Guide to Note Reading and Music Theory, Oak, Sof (1966), p17
Hughes, Norman / Hammered Dulcimer, Mel Bay, Sof (1979), p19
Banjo Newsletter, BNL, Ser (1973-), 1977/11,p21
Leisy, James F. (ed.) / Folk Song Abecedary, Bonanza, Bk (1966), p359
Barenberg, Russ / Teach Yourself Bluegrass Guitar, Amsco, Sof (1978), p19
Abe and Malka. Mandelblatt, Abe & Malka A. / 100 Guitar Accompanyments, Amsco, Sof (1974), p179
Adams, Derroll. Feeling Fine, Village Thing VTS-17, LP (1972), trk# A.04
Austen, Seth. Appalachian Fiddle Tunes for Finger Style Guitar, Kicking Mule KM 174, LP (1982), trk# 15d
Baez, Joan. Joan Baez, Vanguard VRS 9078, CD/ (1960), trk# 6
Baez, Joan. Siegmeister, Elie (arr.) / Joan Baez Song Book, Ryerson Music, Sof (1971/1964), p118
Ball, George. Ball, George / Baxter's Flat-picking Manual, Amsco, Sof (1967), p12
Blake, Norman. Lighthouse on the Shore, Rounder 0211, LP (1985), trk# 13
Bryant, Larkin. Bryant, Larkin / Larkin's Dulcimer Book, Ivory Palaces, Fol (1982), p35
Buchanan, Stella. Randolph, Vance / Ozark Folksongs. Volume IV, Religous Songs and Others, Univ. of Missouri, Bk (1980/1946), p316/#798A [1941/10/22]
Carter, A. P.; Family. A. P. Carter's Clinch Mountain Ballads, Pine Mountain PMR 206, LP (1965/1956), trk# B.02
Carter Family. Last Recordings, Vol. 2. Featuring A. P. Carter, Old Homestead OHCS 331, Cas (1993), trk# A.03
Carter Family. Country & Western Classics, Time-Life Records TLCW-06, LP (1982), trk# 2.05 [1935/05/08]
Carter, June. Wildwood Flower, Dualtone 80302, CD (2003), trk# 13
Carter, Maybelle (Mother Maybelle). Will the Circle Be Unbroken, United Artists UAS 9801, LP (1972), trk# 34
Carter, Maybelle (Mother Maybelle). Traum, Happy (ed.) / Flat-Pick Country Guitar, Oak, Sof (1973), p 32
Carter, Maybelle (Mother Maybelle). Traum, Happy (ed.) / Flat-Pick Country Guitar, Oak, Sof (1973), p 46
Clark, Roy. Guitar Spectacular, Capitol SM-2454, LP (1965), trk# 11
Clifton, Bill. Autoharp Centennial Celebration, Clifton, Cas (1980), trk# 12
Cohen, David. How to Play Folk Guitar, Kicking Mule KM 119, LP (1976), trk# B.06
Cooper, Wilma Lee. Cooper, Wilma Lee. Songs to Remember, Cooper, Fol (196?), p18
Cooper, Wilma Lee and Stoney. Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper Sing the Carter Family, Starday SD 980, LP (1977), trk# 7
Copas, Cowboy. Late and Great Cowboy Copas, Nashvile NLP 2013, LP (197?), trk# B.04
Cox, Eugene (Gene). American Banjo - Tunes and Songs in Scruggs Style, Folkways FA 2314, LP (1966), trk# A.12
Davis, Bill. Sounds of the Smokies, Old Traditions BWD 51471, LP (1971), trk# B.02
Davis, Janet. Banjo Newsletter, BNL, Ser (1973-), 1979/04,p10
Deja Blue. Roseville Fair, Dej --, CD (2003), trk# 11
Emerson and Waldron. New Shades of Grass, Rebel SLP 1485, LP (196?), trk# 12 (Wildwood Hoedown)
Erbsen, Wayne. Erbsen, Wayne / Manual on How to Play the 5-String Banjo for the com...., Erbsen, sof (1974), p24
Farina, Richard; and Eric Von Schmidt. Dick Farina & Eric Von Schmidt, Folklore F-Leut/7, LP (1963), trk# A.06
Flatt & Scruggs & the Foggy Mountain Boys. Songs of the Famous Carter Family, Columbia CS 8464, LP (1961), trk# 9 (Pickin' in the Wildwood)
Fluharty, Russell. West Virginia Heritage, Page SLP 601, LP (197?), trk# B.10
Folkswingers. 12 String Guitar!, World Pacific WP 1812, LP (1963), trk# A.04
Gardner, Worley. Mountain Melodies. Tunes of the Appalachians, Oak Leaf OL 3-7-2, LP (197?), trk# 10 (Wild Wood Flower)
Graves, Josh. Josh Graves, Vetco LP 3025, LP (1976), trk# A.01
Griffin, Neil. Griffin, Neil / Deluxe Bluegrass Banjo Method, Mel Bay, sof (1974), p106
Harman, Bob; and the Blue Ridge Descendants. Music of the Blue Ridge, Galaxie, LP (198?), trk# A.03
Hash, Albert; and the Whitetop Mountain Band. Winesbarger's Mill, Heritage (Galax) 046C, Cas (1983), trk# 6
Highwaymen. Standing Room Only!, United Artists UAL 3158, LP (1962), trk# B.03
Homer and the Barnstormers. Blue Grass Banjos - Flaming Banjos, Alshire 2-120-1/2, LP (197?), trk# 1B.06
Hornbostel, Lois. Hornbostel, Lois / The Anthology for the Fretted Dulcimer, Mel Bay, Fol (1982), p 26
Jones, Clayton. Traditional Autoharp, Sunny Mountain EB 1006, LP (197?), trk# B.06
Kilby, Steve. Steve Kilby, 11/26/54, Heritage (Galax) 074, Cas (198?), trk# A.06
LeGere, Eddie. My Home By the Sea, Arc AS 784, LP (196?), trk# A.03
Leigh, Bonnie. Down in the Shady Grove, Maywind K56-03, CD (1998), trk# 19
Light Crust Doughboys. Light Crust Doughboys / Yesterday and Today, Doughboy Records DB-1039, CD (1994), trk# 12b
MacNeil, Madeline. Madeline MacNeil Sings Patchwork, Skyline DD-103, LP (197?), trk# 5
Mallett, Carol. Old & New From the Mountains, Folkroots CDFE 95, CD (1995), trk# 6
Mason, Phil. Mason, Phillip / Hammered Dulcimer Instruction Book, Am. Music Series, Sof (1977), p35
McCoy, Paul (B.). Allegheny Trails, Jewel LPS 504, LP (1975), trk# B.08
McCutcheon, John. Wind That Shakes the Barley, June Appal JA 014, LP (1977), trk# 7a Morgan, Maggie. Randolph, Vance / Ozark Folksongs. Volume IV, Religous Songs and Others, Univ. of Missouri, Bk (1980/1946), p317/#798B [1942/02/21]
Morken, Edwin (Ed). Scandinavian Favorites on the Diatonic Button Accordian, Morken BJ 124 TS, LP (198?), trk# B.08
Munde, Alan. Frets (Magazine), Frets, Ser, 1980/05,p62
Munde, Alan. Frets (Magazine), Frets, Ser, 1980/05,p63
New Lost City Ramblers. Cohen, John, Mike Seeger & Hally Wood / Old Time String Band Songbook, Oak, Sof (1976/1964), p 50
Pegram, George. George Pegram, Rounder 0001, LP (1970), trk# 6
Pegram, George; and Parham, Red (Walter). Pickin' and Blowin', Riverside RLP 12-650, LP (1959), trk# 7 [1957]
Phillips, Stacy. Phillips, Stacy (ed.) / Dobro Book, Oak, sof (1977), p14
Post, Jim. Jim Post & Friends, Flying Fish FF70 409, CD (1993/1983), trk# 8
Presnell, Mrs. Edd (Nettie). Ritchie, Jean (ed.) / Dulcimer People, Oak, sof (1975), p 26 (Pale Wildwood Flower)
Reid, Bill & Mary. Early Radio Favorites, Old Homestead OHCD 4011, CD (1998), trk# 5 [1955ca]
Reid, Harvey. Nothin' But Guitar, Woodpecker, LP (1982), trk# B.03
Reid, Harvey. Steel Drivin' Man, Woodpecker WP 107, Cas (1991), trk# A.05b
Ritchie, Jean. Ritchie, Jean / Singing Family of the Cumberlands, Oak, sof (1955), p248
Ross, Danny. Flattop Guitar Man, Stoneway STY 117, LP (197?), A.02
Silverman, Jerry. Silverman, Jerry (ed.) / Folksingers Guitar Guide, Advanced, Oak, Sof (1964), p41
Silverman, Jerry. Silverman, Jerry (ed.) / Folksingers Guitar Guide, Advanced, Oak, Sof (1964), p41b
Silverman, Jerry. Silverman, Jerry (ed.) / Flat-Picker's Guitar Guide, Oak, Sof (1963), p38
Simmons Family. Stone County Dulcimer, Dancing Doll DLP 112, LP (197?), trk# 1.06
Simmons Family. Simmons, Tommy (ed.) / Simmons Family, Simmons, Sof (1974), p32
Simmons, Jean and Tommy. Music of the Ozarks, National Geographic Soc. 0703, LP (1972), trk# 8
Slater, Alec. Slater, Alec / Clawhammer Banjo Solos, Mel Bay, Sof (1979), p65
Smith, Hobart. In Sacred Trust. 1963 Fleming Brown Tapes, Smithsonian SFWCD 40141, CD (2005), trk# 33 [1963/10]
Snow, Kilby. Mountain Music on the Autoharp, Folkways FA 2365, LP (1965), trk# 24 [1957/08]
Stanley Brothers. Stanley Brothers on the Air, Wango 115, LP (1976), trk# B.01a
Stanley, Peter; and Rodney Bryan. McKinley Called, Talkeetna 25007, CD (1999/1986), trk# 3 [1980s?]
Stanley, Ralph. Banjo Newsletter, BNL, Ser (1973-), 1981/05,p24b
Taussig, Harry. Taussig, Harry / Teach Yourself Guitar, Oak, Sof (1971), p 88
Taussig, Harry. Taussig, Harry A. (ed.) / Instrumental Techniques of American Folk Guita, Trad. String Instr., fol (1965), p19
Taussig, Harry. Taussig, Harry A. (ed.) / Instrumental Techniques of American Folk Guita, Trad. String Instr., fol (1965), p61
Taussig, Harry. Taussig, Harry / Advanced Guitar, Oak, Sof (1975), p 15
Taussig, Harry. Taussig, Harry / Advanced Guitar, Oak, Sof (1975), p 84
Taussig, Harry. Taussig, Harry / Folk Style Autoharp, Oak, Sof (1967), p 35
Taussig, Harry. Taussig, Harry / Folk Style Autoharp, Oak, Sof (1967), p 42/44
Texas Dance Hall Band. Cotton Eyed Joe, Roysales RSC 114, Cas (1981), trk# 3
Tottle, Jack. Tottle, Jack / Bluegrass Mandolin, Oak, Sof (1975), p 24
Tottle, Jack. Tottle, Jack / Bluegrass Mandolin, Oak, Sof (1975), p102
Tottle, Jack. Tottle, Jack / How to Play Mandolin, Acorn Music Press, sof (1977), p18
Tottle, Jack. Back Road Mandolin, Rounder 0067, LP (1976), trk# B.02 (Wildwood Mandolin)
Waldron, Betty and Mark. Parlour Picking, Outlet STLP 1028, LP (1980), trk# A.01a
Wall, James. 20 Carter Family Favorites, Rural Rhythm RC-175, Cas (1988), trk# B.03 (Pale Wildwood Flower)
Weissberg, Eric. Folk Banjo Styles, Elektra EKL 217, LP (1963), trk# 2
Whitley, Keith; & Ricky Skaggs. Second Generation Bluegrass, Rebel REB 1504, LP/ (1971), trk# 11
Wikel, Miller (Elbert Miller). Home in West Virginia: West Virginia Project, Vol. 2, Old Homestead OHCS 177, LP (1987), trk# 14 [1928/06/25] (Frail Wildwood Flower)
Wildwood Flower Revisted - Irving, Maud/Webster, J. P./Fink, Cathy

Rt - Wildwood Flower
Fink, Cathy. Leading Role, Rounder 0223, LP (1985), trk# B.03

OTHER NAMES: Pale Wildwood Flower; Frail Wildwood Flower; Forsaken Lover; Wildwood Flower Revisted; Pale Amarylis; I'll Twine Mid the Ringlets

MELODY FOR: Sinking of the Reuben James

SOURCES: Mudcat; Folk Index; Ballad Index

NOTES: Wildwood Flower is a parlor song titled "I'll Twine Mid the Ringlets" by  
Maud Irving and J.P. Webster published in 1860. For years the Carter Family were credited with writing/arranging the song. A debate about the origin and type of flower, which the Carters called "pale Aronatus" perhaps "pale Amarylis," has perplexed researchers.  The first version the Carters sing: "The myrtle so bright with an emerald hue And the pale Aronatus with eyes of bright blue."

The song is a popular bluegrass/country instrument usually as a guitar solo. The melody was adapted and used for Woody Guthrie's song "Sinking of the Reuben James."

Ballad Index Notes: DESCRIPTION: The singer prepares to deck herself out with flowers in her hair, in response to her former lover who now has abandoned her. She promises to behave joyfully and forget she knew him, and make him regret that he "neglected his pale wildwood flower"
AUTHOR: Words: Maud Irving / Music: Joseph Philbrick Webster (?)
EARLIEST DATE: 1928 (recording, Carter Family)
KEYWORDS: love abandonment beauty flowers
FOUND IN: US(Ap,SE,So)
REFERENCES (7 citations):
BrownIII 263, "The Pale Wildwood Flower" (3 texts plus a fragment)
Ritchie-SingFam, pp. 248-249, "[Pale Wildwood Flower]" (1 text, 1 tune)
Cohen/Seeger/Wood, pp. 50-51, "Wildwood Flower" (1 text, 1 tune)
Randolph 798, "The Wildwood Flower" (2 texts, 1 tune)
Randolph/Cohen, pp. 500-501, "The Wildwood Flower" (1 text, 1 tune -- Randolph's 798A)
Silber-FSWB, p. 166, "Wildwood Flower" (1 text)
DT, WILDWFLR*
Roud #757
RECORDINGS:
The Carter Family, "Wildwood Flower" (Victor V-40000, 1929; Montgomery Ward M-4432, 1934; rec. 1928) (Melotone 5-11-65, 1935); as "The A. P. Carter Family," "Wildwood Flower" (Acme 996, n.d.)
Carter Sisters & Mother Maybelle, "Wildwood Flower" (Columbia 21138, 1953)
John D. Mounce et al, "Wildwood Flower" (on MusOzarks01)
James Roberts, "Frail Wildwood Flower" (Gennett 6566 [as Wikel Miller]/Conqueror 7254 [as Joe Reeves], 1929; rec. 1928)
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "Reuben James" (tune)


I'LL TWINE 'MID THE RINGLETS (Maud Irving and J.P. Webster) (1860)

I'll twine 'mid the ringlets of my raven black hair
The lilies so pale and the roses so fair
The myrtle so bright with an emeral hue
And the pale aronatus with eyes of bright blue.

I'll sing and I'll dance, my laugh shall be gay
I'll cease this wild weeping, drive sorrow away.
Tho' my heart is now breaking, he never shall know
That his name made me tremble and my pale cheeks to glow.

I'll think of him never, I'll be wildly gay
I'll charm ev'ry heart, and the crowd I will sway.
I'll live yet to see him regret the dark hour
When he won, then neglected, the frail wildwood flower.

He told me he loved me, and promis'd to love
Trough ill and misfortune, all others above
Another has won him; ah, misery to tell
He left me in silence, no word of farewell.

He taught me to love him, he call'd me his flower
That blossom'd for him all the brighter each hour
But I woke from my dreaming, my idol was clay
My visions of love have all faded away.