Down In The Valley (aka Birmingham Jail)

artist:Slim Whitman

, writer:Traditional

Chords:

 {title: Down In The Valley (aka Birmingham Jail)}
{key: G}
{artist: Slim Whitman}
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJidsMI43dc Capo 2
{c: Thanks to Steve Przybelinski}

[G] Down in the valley, the valley so [D7] low
Late in the evening, hear the train [G] blow
Hear the train blow love, hear the train [D7] blow
Late in the evening, hear the train [G] blow

[G] Write me a letter, send it by [D7] mail
Send it in care of Birmingham [G] Jail
Birmingham Jail, love, Birmingham [D7] Jail
Send it in care of Birmingham [G] Jail

[G] The train won't stay love, it goes right [D7] through
It will be gone love, and so will [G] you
Before you go love, for old time's [D7] sake
Put your arms round me, feel my heart [G] break

{sos}
[D7] Put your arms round me, feel my heart [G] break
{eos}
[G] Roses love sunshine violets love [D7] dew
Angels in heaven know I love [G] you
Know I love you dear know I love [D7] you
Angels in heaven know I love [G] you

[G] Down in the valley, the valley so [D7] low
Late in the evening hear the train [G] blow
Hear the train blow love hear the train [D7] blow
Late in the evening hear the train [G] blow

Late in the evening hear the train [G] blow

Song Info

Title: Down In The Valley (aka Birmingham Jail)

Artist: Slim Whitman

Writer: Traditional

Song Types: Folk

Key: G

Info: "Down in the Valley", also known as "Birmingham Jail", is a traditional American folk song. It has been recorded by many artists and is included in the Songs of Expanding America recordings in Burl Ives' six-album set "Historical America in Song.

The verses mentioning "Birmingham Jail" refer to the Birmingham City Jail which was well-known in the mid-1920s, although the reference was often omitted in later versions. According to one biographer of the folk musician Lead Belly, he performed it for Texas Governor Pat Neff at the Sugarland Penitentiary in 1924.

Guitarist Jimmie Tarlton claimed to have written the lyrics in 1925 while he was jailed in Birmingham for moonshining. It was first recorded by Tarlton and his partner Tom Darby on November 10, 1927 in Atlanta, Georgia for Columbia Records.

The ballad is played in the 3/4 time signature. Lyrics vary, as with most folk songs. For example, sometimes the line "Hang your head over, hear the wind blow" is replaced by "Late in the evening, hear the train blow". In 1927, Darby and Tarlton sang "down in the levee" in place of "down in the valley"; the version sung by Lead Belly in 1934 substitutes "Shreveport jail" for "Birmingham jail"

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Down In The Valley (aka Birmingham Jail)

artist:Slim Whitman

, writer:Traditional

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Song Info

Alts - Is barre easier?

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