My girlfriend recently committed suicide. She left a note that I hoped somoene might understand. Can you help?

Question

She was found beneath the stairs that led to a downtown bar. She held a note that said "Fair thee well Tecumsah Valley". I have no idea what that means. I think if I found out it had some actual meaning it might help the healing process. Thanks for any help.

I am really disturbed, but obviously she was familiar with this song Tecumsah Valley. She died in a fasion nearly identical to the song's "Caroline". She obviously put thought into this. I can't believe I didn't see a problem.

Answer 1

Song by folksinger Townes Van Zandt (1944-1997), telling the story of a girl named Caroline, who went to look for work in a valley named after Shawnee leader Tecumseh. She wants to earn money for her but also for her father, a miner. When she has earned enough to return home she receives the message that her father has died. Having lost all hope she becomes a prostitute and finally dies of unknown cause (broken heart?).

All in all a very strong and melancholic song by one of the great songwriters in American folk music. Townes Van Zandt is given credit by the documentary movie "Be Here to Love Me".

"The name she gave was Caroline
Daughter of a miner
Her ways were free
It seemed to me
That sunshine walked beside her"

"They found her down beneath the stairs
That led to Gypsy Sally’s
In her hand when she died
Was a note that cried
Fare thee well... Tecumseh Valley"

Maybe she means to say that although her life looked well, it was bound to end or really wasn't well (hence the part about the sunshine).

Answer 2

This should help. It is a guitar song by Nanci Griffith.
titled "tecumseh valley," I'm not sure what significance it would have towards your friend but please do accept my condolences.

The song goes like this:

The name she gave was Caroline
Daughter of a miner
And her ways were free and it seemed to me
The sunshine walked beside her

She came from Spencer across the hill
She said her Pa had sent her
'Cause the coal was low and soon the snow
Would turn the skies to winter

She said she'd come to look for work
She was not seeking favor
For a dime a day and a place to stay
She turned those hands to labor

But the times were hard, Lord, and the jobs were few
All through Tecumseh Valley
She'd ask around, and a job she found
Tendin' bar at Gypsy Sally's

She saved enough to get back home
And spring replaced the winter
But her dreams were denied, her Pa had died
The word come down from Spencer

So she turned to whorin' out on the streets
With all the lust inside her
And it was many a man returned again
To lay himself beside her

They found her down beneath the stairs
That led to Gypsy Sally's
And in her hand when she died was a note that cried
"Fare thee well, Tecumseh Valley".

Answer 3

I feel for you. Tecumseh Valley is a song recorded by Nancy Griffin (and others) Heres are the words. The last verse is your answer I think.

The name she gave was Caroline
Daughter of a miner
And her ways were free
It seemed to me
The sunshine walked beside her

She came to Spencer
Across the hill
She said he Pa had sent her
'Cause the coal was low
And soon the snow
Would turn the skies to winter

She said she's come
To look for work
She was not seeking favors
And for a dime a day
And a place to stay
She'd turn those hands to labor

But the times were hard Lord
The jobs were few
All through Tecumseh Valley
But she asked around
And a job she found
Tending bar at Gypsy Sally's

She saved enough to get back home
When spring replaced the winter
But her dreams were denied
Her Pa had died
The word come down from Spencer

So she turned a whorin' out on the streets
With all the lust inside her
And it was many a man
Returned again
To lay himself beside her

They found her down beneath the stairs
That led to Gypsy Sally's
In her hand when she died
Was a note that cried
Fare thee well...Tecumseh Valley

Answer 4

It is a Song:
Hope this helps




Tecumseh Valley
Words & Music By Townes Van Zandt
© Silver Dollar Music (ASCAP) Administered By Bug Music
The name she gave was Caroline
Daughter of a miner
And her ways were free
It seemed to me
The sunshine walked beside her

She came from Spencer
Across the hill
She said her Pa had sent her
'Cause the coal was low
And soon the snow
Would turn the skies to winter

She said she'd come
To look for work
She was not seeking favors
And for a dime a day
And a place to stay
She'd turn those hands to labor

But the times were hard Lord
The jobs were few
All through Tecumseh Valley
But she asked around
And a job she found
Tending bar at Gypsy Sally's

She saved enough to get back home
When spring replaced the winter
But her dreams were denied
Her Pa had died
The word come down from Spencer

So she turned to whorin' out on the streets
With all the lust inside her
And it was many a man
Returned again
To lay himself beside her

They found her down beneath the stairs
That led to Gypsy Sally's
In her hand when she died
Was a note that cried
Fare thee well... Tecumseh Valley

Answer 5

^ we are all douchebags. lol. this is so true. sometimes all a person needs is just one second of peace. suicide seems like the answer when times are dark but in death u miss out on all the little moments that really matter. things can get worse oooorrr things can get better. it all depends on wht u choose. I dont condone nor condemn. If i had followed thru with it at 16 I wouldnt be the 30yr old weirdo that i am. Life is precious and will end none the less. let it play out naturally.

Answer 6

Im so sorry. Is tecumsah valley where your from? I guess she was trying to say goodbye. I'm sorry for your loss.

Answer 7

hey dude im really sry about what happend i found that versus in this song , the web address is http://nanci-griffith.com/discography/ovorlyrics.html

the song is called Tecumseh Valley

it says that line directly in the song check it out

sry again

Answer 8

if you live in tecumsa valley then she was saying goodnye to it. she meant that she was leaving so the letter means that she was saying farewell to the valley.sorry for your loss. Very sorry.

Answer 9

by the sound of it.. she felt heartbroken.. but it sounds like oyou cared a lot and still do so im not saying it was your fault.. but .. im very sorry to hear about this.. it sounds like she was depressed for a while..because she had time to plan this out and have such meaning behind it. im so sorry,... it hurts now.. but it'll get better and it wont hurt so much... but dont forget her.. .. oh im sorry..

Answer 10

I'm sorry for your loss. I hope the answer already given helps you.