“Shady Grove” is an Appalachian folk song that is often linked to the English ballad “Matty Groves”. But what is the actual relationship between them? This episode of Folk Files discusses the meaning of “Shady Grove” and untangles the origins of these two songs. Host: Olivia Harding Special thanks to: Aaron J Morton. Join the Folk Files Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FolkFilesPodcast Musical excerpts: ARTIST: Doc Watson WORK: Shady Grove SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0f-dCMSVKQ ARTIST: Jean Ritchie WORK: Shady Grove SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFw78zP39Y4 ARTIST: Jennifer Goree WORK: Shady Grove SOURCE: https://www.ghostmeat.com/jennifergoree.html ARTIST: Michael Johnathon WORK: Shady Grove SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvsTIvwgNI0 ARTIST: Jerry Garcia and the Sleepy Hollow Hog Stompers WORK: Shady Grove SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZBuFXlISkQ ARTIST: Billy Strings WORK: Shady Grove SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGScvVTHqQo ARTIST:The Kingston Trio WORK: Old Joe Clark SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS7dH-CYed0 ARTIST: Kentucky Thorobreds WORK: Shady Grove SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46eBbMhB-TI ARTIST: Hedy West WORK: Barbara Allen SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzTAsbdztMY ARTIST: Music the Gathering WORK: Shady Grove SOURCE: https://www.musicthegathering.com/store/lvl-3-digital-album-petnc-8c8hy ARTIST: Peggy Seeger and Ewan MacColl WORK: Matty Groves SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdyUqIfGa1Y ARTIST: Martin Carthy  WORK: Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt7-hYd7PdM ARTIST: Fairport Convention WORK: Matty Groves SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1it7BP5PckI ARTIST: Music the Gathering WORK: Shady Grove SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aacCgKWGoWg