Barbara Allen- Frank Luther (NY) 1928 REC
[From: Frank Luther and his Pards (NYC). Edison recording August, 1928.
This recording features Frank Luther- vocals w/ Carson Robinson- guitar and Bert Hirsh- fiddle. Luther sings "Barb'ra" throughout. Luther, Dalhart and Carson Robinson were all in NYC at this time. Dalhart and Robinson had already cut Barbara Allen a year earlier. Luther, a Kansas native, moved to NYC circa 1926.
R. Matteson 2012]
Barbara Allen- Frank Luther and his Pards (NY) 1928 REC
[Listen: Barbara Allen- Frank Luther and his Pards]
Harmonica solo
1. It was in merry month of May
When flowers were a-bloomin',
Sweet Willie on his death-bed lay
For the love of Barb'ra Allen.
2. He sent his servant to the town
The town where she did dwell in;
Saying "Master dear has sent me here
If your name be Barb'ra Allen."
[Fiddle]
3. Then slowly, slowly she got up
And slowly she went to him,
And all she said when she got there,
"Young man I think you're dying."
4. "O don't you remember the other day
When we were in the tavern,
You drank a health to the ladies there
And slighted Barb'ra Allen?"
[harmonica]
5. He turned his face to the wall
He turned his back upon her;
"Adieu, adieu, to my friends all,
Be kind to Barb'ra Allen."
6. She went on through and through the town
She heard his death bells ringing:
And every stroke they seemed to say,
"O cruel Barb'ra Allen!"
[fiddle]
7. She looked to the east, she to thelooked west
And saw his corpse a-coming,
"O set him down for me," she cried
That I may gaze upon him."
8. The more she looked the more she grieved
Until she burst out to cryin',
Saying, "Pick me up and carry me home,
For I feel like I am dyin'."
[Whistle]
9. They buried Willie in the old church yard,
And Barb'ra in the new one;
And from Willie's grave there grew a rose,
And from Barb'ra's a green brier.
10. They grew, they grew to the old church wall
And they could not grow any higher;
And there they tied in a true love's knot
The rose bush and the brier.
[harmonica]