Ballad of America

The Lovely Ohio

Historical Era Era 3: Revolution and the New Nation (1754-1820s)

Tags Farming Hunting Westward Expansion

About The Lovely Ohio

With the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783, the Revolution ended and Great Britain legally recognized the independent existence of the United States of America. Britain ceded claims not only on the thirteen colonies, but also on the lands between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River. Settlers poured into the Ohio River valley.

A ballad is a particular type of secular song that was beloved in the British Isles long before the first settlers set sail for the New World. Generally, ballads tell a story or recount events that might include romance, tragedy, violence, or acts of heroism. In the eighteenth century, ballads that concerned themselves with the lives of common people and began with the words "come all ye…" had become very popular in Great Britain. In America, this type of ballad became the basis for many new songs, including The Lovely Ohio. The song optimistically celebrates life on the river at the end of the eighteenth century.

Lyrics to The Lovely Ohio

The Lovely Ohio

Come all ye brisk young fellows who have a mind to roam
All in some foreign counteree, a long way from home
All in some foreign counteree along with me to go
And we'll settle on the banks of the lovely Ohio
We'll settle on the banks of the lovely Ohio

Come all you pretty fair maids, spin us some yarn
To make us some nice clothing to keep ourselves warm
For you can knit and sew, my loves, while we do reap and mow
When we settle on the banks of the lovely Ohio
When we settle on the banks of the lovely Ohio

There are fishes in the river, just fitted for our use
There's tall and lofty sugar cane that will give to us its juice
There's every kind of game, my boys, also the buck and doe
When we settle on the banks of the lovely Ohio
When we settle on the banks of the lovely Ohio

When we settle on the banks of the lovely Ohio
When we settle on the banks of the lovely Ohio

Download The Lovely Ohio

Video of The Lovely Ohio

Part of this song is featured in the Ballad of America video overview.

Compact Disc with The Lovely Ohio

This song is available on the compact disc:
Ballad of America Volume 1: Over a Wide and Fruitful Land