Barbara Allen- Simmons (GA) 1950 Morris A
[From Morris- Folksongs of Florida, 1950; version A. An excerpt from end-notes follows.
This is likely 50 years older at least,
R. Matteson 2015]
BONNY BARBARA ALLEN
(Child, No. 84)
This is Florida's favorite English, Scottish, and American popular ballad. Numerous variants have been recorded.
"BARBARA ALLEN." Recorded from the singing of Mrs. Ruth Simmons, Jacksonville, who learned the song from her mother, Mrs. M. M. McCall, Mayo. Mrs. McCall was taught the song by her aunt, Mrs. G. Johnson, Altha.
It was in the new year in the month of May
When roses and pinks were budding,
Sweet William on his death bed lay
For loving Barbara Allen.
He sent his servant from the field
To town where she was dwelling;
"Young massa's sick; he sent for you
If your name be Barbara Allen."
Slowly, slowly she rose up,
And slowly she goes to him,
And all she said when she got there,
"Young man, I think you're dying."
"I'm sick, I'm sick, I'm very sick;
My heart is almost fainting;
A kiss or two from your sweet lips
May keep me from that dying."
"Do you remember the other day
When we were at the tavern,
You drank your health to the ladies round
And slighted Barbara Allen?"
He turned his pale face to the wall
His back to Barbara Allen;
"Adieu, adieu to relations all,
Farewell to Barbara Allen."
She went a-traipsing through the field;
She heard his death bell ringing;
The farther she went, the louder it rang,
Hard-hearted Barbara Allen!
She scarcely came to her dwelling place,
She saw his corpse a-coming;
"Pray hand to me that cold lump of clay
And let me lie upon it."
"O Mother, O Mother, go fix my bed;
Go fix it long and narrow;
Sweet William died for me today;
I'll die for him tomorrow."
Sweet William died on Saturday,
And Barbara died on Sunday;
The old lady died for the love of them both,
And was buried on Easter Monday.
Sweet William was buried at the height of the church,
And Barbara was buried close by him;
Up from his grave sprung a red rose,
And up from hers a briar.
They grew and they grew to the top of the church;
They could not grow any higher.
They wrapped and they twined in a true-lovers' knot,
The big red rose and the briar.