Barbara Allen--Ozark Mountain folk song
I was thrilled to find this song. It many
variations but this is the one my grandmother, Nanny, used to sing to
use when my brothers and sister and I were little. We are from the
Ozarks. Nanny was raised in the Ozarks. She knew many of the old
ballads, and when we were all in the car taking trips, Nanny would
sing them to us. This was always one of our very favorites. I have
included a link to a web site that has some the variations and the
music. The Max Hunter Folk Song Collection
VERSE 1
In a scarlet town where I was
born
There was a fair maid dwell'in
Made every youth cry well away
For her name was Bar-bra Allen
VERSE 2
All in th merry month of May
When green buds they were
swell'in
Sweet William on his death bed
lay
For th love of Bar-bra Allen
VERSE 3
He sent his servant to th town
To th place where she was
dwell'in
Say-in, hasten away and come with
me
If your name be Bar-bra Aleen
VERSE 4
So slowly, slowly, she rode up
So slowly she came nigh him
And all she said, when there she
came
Young man I think your dy'in
VERSE 5
O, yes, I'm sick an' very sick
An' death is on me dwell'in
No better, no better, I never will
be
If I can't have Bar-bra Allen
VERSE 6
Do you remember in yonder town
When I was at th tavern
I gave a toast t' th ladies all
around
But my heart to Bar-bra Allen
VERSE 7
If on your death bed you do lie
What needs this tale, you're
tell'in
I cannot keep you from your
death
Farewell said, Bar-bra Allen
VERSE 8
As she was on her highway home
She spied his corpse a com'in
Set down, set down, this corpse of
clay
That I may look up-on him
VERSE 9
Th more she looked, th more she
wept
Till she fell t' th ground a -
cry'in
O, pick me up and carry me home
For now I am a dy'in
VERSE 10
O Father, O Father, go dig my
grave
Go dig it long and narrow
Sweet William died for me today
I'll die for him t-morrow
VERSE 11
Upon her grave there grew a red
rose
On Williams grave grew a brier
They twined and they twined in a true
lovers knot
An' th rose grew 'round th brier
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