Barbara Allen- Williams (MO) pre-1906 Belden A
[No title given. From Old-Country Ballads in Missouri. II by H. M. Belden; The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 19, No. 75 (Oct. - Dec., 1906), pp. 281-299 Version D in JAF.
Also in Ballads and Songs, Version A.
R .Matteson 2012, 2015]
CHILD 84. - Barbara Allen
A. [Barbara Allen] No title given. Collected by Miss Williams. "Sung by an old lady in Clinton County who learned it when a girl. It was then a common neighborhood song."
It fell about on Martinmas day,
When the green leaves were a-falling,
Sir James Graham of a west country town
Fell in love with Barbara Allen.
Oh she was a fair and comely maid,
A maid nigh to his dwelling,
Which made him to admire the more
The beauty of Barbara Allen.
Oh it fell out upon a day
When at wine they were a-drinking,
They tossed their glasses round and round
And slighted Barbara Allen.
Oh she was taken so ill out
That she 'd no more look on him;
Of all the letters he could send
She declared she'd never have him.
Oh he was taken very sick,
Was ill unto the dying;
He tossed about upon his bed
For Barbara Allen crying.
Then slowly, slowly, rose she up
And slowly, gaed she to him,
And slowly drew the curtain by:
"Young man, I think you're dying."
"Oh yes, I 'm sick, I'm very sick,
My heart is at the breaking;
One kiss or two from thy sweet lips
Would save me from the dying."
"Oh mind you not, young man," she said,
"When you sat in the tavern,
You made the healths go round and round
And slighted Barbara Allen?"
Then slowly, slowly she rose up,
And slowly, slowly left him,
And sighing said she could not stay
Since death of life had reft him.
She had not gone a mile from town
When she heard the death-bell ringing;
And every knell that death-bell gave
Was woe to Barbara Allen.
"O mother, mother, make my bed,
And make it soft and narrow;
Since my true love died for me to-day,
I'll die for him to-morrow."