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about

Abner Vance was a Hardshell Baptist preacher in Abingdon, Virginia. He was hanged in 1897, for the killing of Dr. Louis Horton, who had seduced one of his daughters and harassed his family. After killing Louis, Vance took off for the wilderness and lived as a fugitive for about three years, and then gave himself up. He was sure that the judge, Johnson, would find a way to save his life because Vance had been on the jury a few years ago that had acquitted the judges son-in-law, Elliott, then on trial for murder.
He was sentenced to hang anyway. It is said that a reprieve arrived moments after he was hung. While awaiting in prison he wrote this song and gave it to Rev A.M.Lunsford who then gave the song to a printer. A more complete version of the song is given by D. K. Vance, a great grandson of Abner Vance, and can be found in "West Virginia Song Bag"
I first learned the song from Bruce Greene and Lloy McWirter, musician friends from North Carolina, and although I have since become familiar with additional verses I felt that the mentioning of names detracted from the songs mysterious beauty. My version has taken on melodic influence from Maggie Hammons' version. The song conjures up that wild region along the sandy River where the Hatfields and McCoys feuded for 40 years. It was a place so rugged and lawless that a man could disappear into the wilderness and not be found for years.

lyrics

Vance no more
green are the woods where Sandy flows
and peace it dwelleth there
in the valley the Bear they lie secure
the red buck roams the knobs

but Vance no more will Sandy behold
nor drink of its Crystal waves
the partial judge has pronounced my doom
the hunter has found his grave

Daniel Horten and Bob and Bill
a lie against me swore
they've taken away my happiness
by destroying my family

it was by McFarland
Judge Johnson did me call
he's taken me from my native home
confined me in a stone wall

my persecuters have gained their request
their promise to make good
they oft times swore they never could rest
till they had gained my hearts blood

but they and I together must meet
where all things are unknown
and if I shed the innocent blood
I hope there's Mercy shown

bright shines the sun on Clinches Hill
and soft the West wind blows
the valleys covered all over in blooms
perfumed by the red rose

but Vance no more shall sandy behaold
nor smell of its sweet perfume
this day his eyes are closed in death
his body confined in a tomb

fare you well my children dear
I bid you all farewell
the love the I have for your precious souls
no human toungue can tell

fare you well my loving wife
I bid you now adieu
and if I reach fair Canaan's shore
I hope I'll be with you

credits

from Green Are The Woods, released June 13, 1999
From a recording of Maggie Hammons

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Helena Triplett Faust Wellington, New Zealand

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