Down yonder green valley where streamlets meander,
When twilight is fading I pensively rove;
Or at the bright noontide in solitude wander
Amid the dark shades of the lonely Ash Grove.
'Twas there while the blackbird was cheerfully singing
I first met that dear one, the joy of my heart;
Around us for gladness the bluebells were ringing;
Ah! then little thought I how soon we should part.

Still glows the bright sunshine o'er valley and mountain,
Still warbles the blackbird its note from the tree;
Still trembles the moonbeam on streamlet and fountain,
But what are the beauties of nature to me?
With sorrow, deep sorrow, my bosom is laden.
All day I go mourning in search of my love;
Ye echoes! oh tell me, where is the sweet maiden?
"She sleeps 'neath the green turf down by the Ash Grove."

abc | midi | pdf

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Source: Singing Together, Autumn 1965, BBC Publications

Notes:
Identified simply as 'Welsh Song'.

The following notes were taken from this site:

Llwyn Onn

From Famous Songs of Wales 1(Caneuon Enwog Cymru) (c)1987 Gwynn, Pygroes, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL54 6DB

Yn Nyffryn Llwyn Onn draw mi welais hardd feinwen 
A minnau'n hamddena 'rol byw ar y don;
Gwyn ewyn y lli oedd ei gwisg, a disgleirwen 
A'r glasfor oedd llygaid Gwen harddaf Llwyn Onn.
A ninnau'n rhodiana drwy'r lonydd i'r banna,
Sibrydem i'n gilydd gyfrinach byd serch;
A phan ddaeth hi'n adeg ffarwelio a'r wiwdeg,
Roedd tannau fy nghalon yng ngofal y ferch.

Cyn dychwel i borthladd wynebwn y tonnau,
Ond hyfryd yw'r hafan 'rol dicter y don;
Bydd melys anghofio her greulon y creigiau--
Un felly o'wn innau 'rol cyrraedd Llwyn Onn.
A thawel mordwyo wnaf mwyach a Gwenno
Yn llong fach ein bwthyn a hi wrth y llyw;
A hon fydd yr hafan ddiogel a chryno
I'r morwr a'i Wenno tra byddwn ni byw.

The book gives the following commentary:

This is a very old harp melody and was first published without
words by Edward Jones ("The King's Harpist") in The Bardic
Museums in 1802. It was published with words, probably some four
years later, in Welsh Melodies with Appropriate English Words.

Some authorities maintain that it was originally a dance
tune. If that is so, it does not appear to be as old as some of the
well-known traditional folk dances, as the minuet time is of a later period,
originating in 18th Century France.

During this century it has been a popular counter-melody for
that unique Welsh practice of Penillion singing.

The Welsh words used here are of recent date, relating a
sailor's love for Gwen of Llwyn Onn. Oliphant's English words, however, end
with sadness, relating the death of the loved one.

Roud:
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