Fare Thee Well

Words traditional and Cathie Ryan, music traditional (Wake the Neighbors Music ASCAP)

Cathie's Notes

Thanks to Nancy Groce, Jennifer Cutting, and Steve Winick of the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress where I found Dink’s song and proceeded to add to it and re-write it until I came up with Fare Thee Well – which you can hear on ‘Through Wind and Rain‘.  I spent three happy days at the Center with Nancy, Steve and Jennifer researching music and hunting for old songs.  I loved every minute of listening and searching. It is a treasure trove.

If I had wings like Noah’s dove
I’d fly cross the river to the one I love
Fare thee well, my honey, fare thee well.

I loved a man who was long and tall
He moved his body like a cannonball
Fare thee well, my honey, fare thee well.

Late last night in the pouring rain
Round my heart was an aching pain
Fare thee well, my honey, fare thee well.

Beside the river I sat and cried
I heard him singing on the other side
Fare thee well, my honey, fare thee well.

One of these days, and it won’t be long
You’ll call my name and I’ll be gone
Fare thee well, my honey, fare thee well

As sure as birds fly up above
Life is hard living without the one you love
Fare thee well, my honey, fare thee well

If I had wings like Noah’s dove
I’d fly cross the river to the one I love
Fare thee well, my honey, fare thee well
Fare thee well