Barbara Allen- Nye (OH) c.1937 Lomax REC
[From LOC online presentation. This presentation contains recordings of 75 songs, sung by Nye. The recordings were made by John, Alan, and Elizabeth Lomax, and Ivan Walton between June 1937 and September 1938. Lyrics for the recorded songs have been transcribed by Library staff and are available on the Web site as are song transcriptions, photographs, and personal letters Nye sent to the Library from July 1937 to October 1944.
R. Matteson 2012]
Captain Pearl R. Nye: Life on the Ohio and Erie Canal captures the culture and music of the men, women, and children who worked and lived along the Ohio and Erie Canal. Nye, who was born and raised on a canal boat, never lost his love of the "Big Ditch." After the canal closed permanently in 1913, he devoted considerable time and energy to preserving its songs and stories.
Barbara Allen- Captain Pearl R. Nye (OH) c. 1937 John Lomax REC AFS 1002 B2
Listen here: http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/afcnyebib:@field(DOCID+@lit(afcnye000004))]
In Scarlet town where I was born,
There was a fair maid dwelling.
Made every youth cry "Well aware,"
And her name was Barbara Allen.
All in the merry month of May,
When the green buds were a-swelling.
Sweet William came from western states,
And courted Barbara Allen.
All was in the month of June,
When all things were a-blooming.
Sweet William on his deathbed lay,
For the love of Barbara Allen.
He sent his servants to the town,
Where Barbara was a-dwelling.
"My master's sick and sends for you,
If your name is Barbara Allen."
"And death is painted on his face,
And o'er his heart is stealing.
Then haste away to comfort him,
Oh lovely Barbara Allen."
So slowly, slowly she got up,
And slowly she came nigh him.
And all she said when she got there,
"Young man, I think you're dying."
"Oh yes, oh yes, I'm very sick,
And death is on me stealing.
No better no, I'll never be,
If I can't have Barbara Allen."
"Oh yes, you're sick, and very sick,
And death is on you dwelling.
No better no, you ne'er will be,
For you can't have Barbara Allen."
"Oh don't you remember in yonder town,
When you were at the tavern.
You drank a health to the ladies all around,
And slighted Barbara Allen."
As she was on her highway home,
The birds kept on a-singing.
They sang so clear they seemed to say,
"Hard hearted Barbara Allen."
As she was walking o'er the fields,
She heard the death bell knelling.
And oh...
[Note: Recording ends abruptly.]