My Dearest Dear / The Blackest Crow

Written by: [Traditional]
Language: English
Comments: Traditional song dating back to at least 1906. "My Dearest Dear" is typically sung with three verses of lyrics. "The Blackest Crow" version has an extra verse of lyrics before the final verse that starts "The blackest crow that ever flew would surely turn to white if ever I prove false to you bright day will turn to night.." and is typically associated with bluegrass versions.

[Verse 1]
As time draws near my dearest dear when you and I must part
How little you know of the grief and woe in my poor aching heart
Each night I suffer for your sake, you’re the girl I love so dear
I wish that I was going with you or you were staying here
Licensing: Request a synchronization license

Versions

Title	Performer	Release date	Info
The Blackest Crow	Jean Ritchie	1955
My Dearest Dear	Peggy Seeger	1962
Blackest Crow	Edna Ritchie	1962
Dearest Dear	Shirley Collins and Davy Graham	February 1965
My Dearest Dear	Margaret MacArthur	1975
The Time Draws Near	Doug Wallin	1983
Time Draws Near	Cathy Fink	1992
As Time Draws Near	The ILL-MO Boys	1992
The Blackest Crow	Bruce Molsky	January 16, 1996
The Blackest Crow	Arnie Naiman & Chris Coole	1997
The Blackest Crow	Dirk Powell - Tim O'Brien - John Herrmann	1998
The Blackest Crow	James Reams	2000
The Blackest Crow	Uncle Earl	January 2002
My Dearest Dear	Elizabeth LaPrelle	2004
As the Time Draws Near	John Reischman & The Jaybirds	April 12, 2005
My Dearest Dear	Banjo Bill Cornett	2005	Released more than 10 years after its recording
The Blackest Crow	Dead Men's Hollow	2005
My Dearest Dear	Donna Ray Norton	June 1, 2007
The Blackest Crow	Wayne Erbsen & Laura Boosinger	2007
The Blackest Crow	Heidi Talbot	February 25, 2008
Dearest Dear	Cath & Phil Tyler	April 12, 2010
The Blackest Crow	Maiden Radio	October 1, 2010
As Time Draws Near	Kirk Sutphin & Riley Baugus	October 30, 2010
The Blackest Crow	Leigh Beamer	May 6, 2011
Blackest Crow	Tricia Spencer	June 20, 2012
The Blackest Crow	Back Step Cindy	April 23, 2018
My Dearest Dear	Kyle Ollah	June 23, 2018
The Blackest Crow	Susquehanna Travellers	June 30, 2018	Live
The Blackest Crow	Twang [DK]	December 25, 2019	Live
As Time Draws Near	Anna Nalick	December 2019

		Title	Performer	Release date	Info
	i	The Blackest Crow	Brittany Haas	2004