Down in the Valley [core]

Down in the valley, valley so low, Hang your head over, hear the wind blow

Refrain:Hear the wind blow, dear, hear the wind blow, Hang your head over, hear the wind blow

If you don't love me, love whom you please, Throw your arms round me, give my heart ease,...

Write me a letter, send it by mail, Send it in care of Birmingham jail,...

Build me a castle, forty feet high, So I can see her, as she rides by,...

Roses love sunshine, violets love dew, Angels in heaven, know I love you,...

Bird in a cage love, bird in a cage, Dying for freedom, ever a slave,...

Listen to this song

This Song Clip was recorded in the key of G. (Click below to play.)

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Get it in print
(two books to choose from!)

Get Started Plus: Core Songs Edition
100 Core Songs (including Down in the Valley) plus our acclaimed playing-by-ear learning method.
Read more & look inside.
Big Print Songs
222 traditional songs, including Down in the Valley, in large print. Chords, historical info, jamming hints, and more.
Read more & look inside

Get it on CD

Core Songs CD Series

Five CDs, 100 songs, including Down in the Valley. Recordings from the Abbott family and their friends.
Listen to samples & buy.

The MP3 collection has all 100 songs on one CD for a discount. See details.


A song from the Mountain Music for Everyone Song Collection from the ToneWay Project. Our website has lyrics to nearly 400 traditional songs common in bluegrass and old-time circles. Most songs also include a free MP3 recording that you can listen to. The ToneWay Project also offers songbooks, CDs, and resources for learning to play music by ear. http://ToneWay.com