"It's a lovely tune, though. The arrangement I have is rather classical,
and I guess the sharp forth (D at one point instead of D flat) represent
a younger editorial layer. Maybe the whole second part was added by some
editor in the 20th century."
Someone out there correct me if I'm wrong, but the accidentals in "The Ash
Grove" are not an addition of a later editor or the result of a "classical"
arrangement -- it is the way the tune was traditionally played on the Welsh
triple harp! With the triple harp, accidentals are easy and common (which, as
you know, is not the case with music for the lever harp!). If you want to
hear traditional music with lots of 'em, just listen to one of Robin Huw
Bowen's albums. It will change your concept of traditional music forever (and
may make you resent your single row of strings...) ;-)
Cheers,
Kristina
P.S. A word of warning though, triple harps are not for those with weak
stomachs --- I got motion sick and cross-eyed trying to play Robin's harp!!!