Hi All,

This is probably crappy for some of you but when I analyse the lyrics, it actually touched me deeply so I thought to share this to you all.
At first when I heard the violin music, I thought this was like a 'civil war type of music', not knowingly it has a beautiful romantic lyric behind it.
Honestly I don't know anything at all about "Ashokan" except the lyrics and the melody.

I've got this from my grandma when I visited her at the nursing home in Chatswood. I think its a peaceful melody.

Lyrics:

The sun is sinking low in the sky above, Ashokan
The pines and the willows know soon we will part
There's a whisper in the wind of promises unspoken,
And a Love that will always remain in my heart.

My thoughts will return to the sound of your laughter,
The magic of moving as one,
And a time we'll remember long ever after
The moonlight and music and dancing are done.

Will we climb the hills once more?
Will we walk the woods together?
Will I feel you holding me close once again?
Will every song we've sung stay with us forever?
Will you dance in my dreams or my arms until then?

Under the moon the mountains lie sleeping
Over the lake the starts shine
They wonder if you and I will be keeping
The magic and music, or leave them behind.



Isn't this beautiful?????
This lyric seems to indicate they were couple at the time. To top it up, I googled more about this Ashokan and found this love letter.

Letter from Sullivan Ballou to his wife.

14 July 1861
Camp Clark, Washington [D.C.]

Dear Sarah:

The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days — perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write again, I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more….

I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American civilization now leans on the triumph of the Government, and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and sufferings of the Revolution. And I am willing — perfectly willing — to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt….

Sarah my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me unresistibly on with all these chains to the battle field.

The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them so long. And hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when, God willing, we might still have lived and loved together, and seen our sons grown up to honorable manhood, around us. I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to me — perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my litle Edgar, that I shall return to my loved ones unharmed. If I do not my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battle field, it will whisper your name. Forgive my many faults, and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I have often times been! How gladly would I wash out with my tears every little spot upon your happiness….

But, O Sarah! if the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the gladdest days and in the darkest nights . . . always, always, and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath[;] as the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by. Sarah do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again….

Honestly - I'm teary having to read this letter. It's touching me deeply. It feels like I'm taken aback and able to sink in "the moment this guy wrote the letter".