Across the Blue Mountains
Traditional American. Appalachian ballad taught to us by Suzannah Park, who learned the melody and lyrics from Rob and Linda Williams and wrote a lower harmony line.
One morning, one morning, one morning in May
I overheard a married man to a young girl say:
--Go dress you up, pretty Katie, and come along with me,
Across the Blue Mountains to the Allegheny”

I'll buy you a horse love and a saddle to ride.
We'll stop at every tavern, we'll drink when we're dry
Across the Blue Mountains goes my Katie and I.--

Then up spoke her mother, and angry was she then,
Crying –Daughter, oh dear daughter, he is a married man.
Besides there are young men plenty more handsome than he
Let him take his own wife to the Allegheny.--

--But Mother, oh Mother, he's the man of my own heart
And wouldn't it be a dreadful thing for me and my love to part?
I'd envy every woman whoever she may be
Who crossed the Blue Mountains to the Allegheny.--

They left before daybreak on a dapple and a roan
Past tall shivering pines where the mockingbirds moan
Past dark cabin windows where eyes never see
Across the Blue Mountains to the Allegheny.


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