Barbara Allen- Carr (ME) 1928 Barry A
[From British Ballads From Maine by Barry, Eckstorm, and Smyth, 1929, p. 195(A). The ballad dates back probably to at least c. 1870. Bronson (no. 188) adds: The same singer used the tune also for "Braes of Yarrow" (No. 214).
R. Matteson 2015]
[Barbara Allen] - Sung by Mrs. Susie Carr young, learned from her mother. Tune recorded by George Herzog, c. 1928.
1. In Scarlet Town where I did dwell.
There was a fair maid dwelling;
Young Jemmy Grove did love her well,
And her name was Barbara Allcn.
2. 'Twas on the fifteenth day of May,
And the green fields were a-blooming,
This young man on his death bed lay,
For the love of Barbara Allen.
3. So slowly, she put on her gown,
So slowly she went to him;
And all she said when she got there
Was: "young man, you're a-dying.
4. "For death is printed in your face
And sorrow on your bearing,
You never will be none the better for me,
Nor the love of Barbara Allen."
5. She had not got far our of town
Before the bells were tolling.
And with the tolling of the bells
Laughed cruel Barbara Allen.
6. She turned about to get her breath
And spied the funeral coming,
Shc laughed to see him pale in death,
O cruel Barbara Allen.
7. When he was buricd in his grave.
Her heart did burst with sorrow:
O mother, mother make my bed,
For I shall die tomorrow!"
8. "Now maidens all, a warning take,
And shun the ways I fell in.
Or else your heart may break;
"Farewell," said Barbara Allen.