"Maple on the Hill", also known by its original title of "We Sat Beneath the Maple on the Hill" is a
country and western
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Symbols
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, written by
Gussie Davis
Gussie Lord Davis (December 3, 1863 – October 18, 1899) was an American songwriter born in Dayton, Ohio. Davis was one of America's earliest successful African-American music artists, the first black songwriter to become famous on Tin Pan Alley ...
in 1880.
The song was Davis's first published song. Davis published it himself, paying a local printer $20, and sold enough copies to make his money back plus a little more. In it, the singer recalls sitting with his love under the maple on the hill. Now, as he is dying, he bids her not to forget him.
[Waltz, R. B., and Engle, D. G.,]
Maple on the Hill
" ''fresnostate.edu'' Retrieved 13 July 2022.
The song has been covered by numerous artists, including
Vernon Dalhart
Marion Try Slaughter (April 6, 1883 – September 14, 1948), better known by his stage name Vernon Dalhart, was an American country music singer and songwriter. His recording of the classic ballad "Wreck of the Old 97" was the first country song ...
,
The Carter Family
Carter Family was a traditional American folk music group that recorded between 1927 and 1956. Their music had a profound impact on bluegrass, country, Southern Gospel, pop and rock musicians as well as on the U.S. folk revival of the 1960s.
...
,
Hank Locklin
Hank Locklin (born Lawrence Hankins Locklin; February 15, 1918 – March 8, 2009) was an American country music singer-songwriter. He had 70 chart singles, including two number one hits on ''Billboard''s country chart. His biggest hits included ...
, and
The Tumbleweeds
The Tumbleweeds, sometimes billed as Cole Wilson And His Tumbleweeds, were a New Zealand country and western group founded in Dunedin in 1949. The band are considered among the major pioneers of New Zealand country music. They were amongst the fi ...
. Many of these later versions were recorded with an amended tune, possibly by Addison Cole, who is cited in some sources as the song's writer.
[e.g.,]
Maple on the Hill
" ''classic-country-song-lyrics.com'' Retrieved 13 July 2022.
The song has also spawned several responses, with names such as "New Maple on the Hill", "Answer to Maple on the Hill", and "Maple on the Hill – Part 2".
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References
1880 songs
Country music songs
{{Country-song-stub