Barbara Ellen- Carnes (TN) 1932 Anderson G
[From: Geneva Anderson. "A Collection of ballads and songs from East Tennessee." Master's Thesis, University of North Carolina, 1932.
R. Matteson 2015]
G. Barbara Ellen. Mrs. J. E. Carnes of Maryville, Blount County, has known this ballad since she was a child.
1. Twas in the merry month of May,
When all the rose buds were swelling,
Sweet William on his death-bed lay,
For the love of Barbara Ellen.
2. He sent his servants to the town,
To the places she was dwelling,
"Sweet William's sick and sent for you,
If your name be Barbara Ellen."
3. Slowly, slowly she got up,
And slowly she went nigh him,
The very first words she said to him,
"Young man, I think you're dying."
4. Do you remember the other night,
While in the dance hall dancing,
Then you cast the ball to the ladies all,
And slighted Barbara Ellen?"
5. "Yes I remember very well,
While in the ball room dancing,
When I cast the ball to the ladies all,
But my the love to Barbara Ellen?"
6. "I am sick, and very sick
And death is near me dwelling,
I'll never see my time again,
If I don't get Barbara Ellen."
7. "Yes, you are sick, and very sick
And death is upon you dwelling,
You'll never see your time again,
For you'll never get Barbara Ellen."
8. He turned his pale face to the wall,
And burst out to crying,
She turned her back, down the stairs she went,
Hard-hearted Barbara Ellen.
9. She hadn't gone but a mile and a half,
Till she heard his death bell tolling,
And every knock it seemed to say,
"Hard-hearted Barbara Ellen."
10. She turned around to view the ground
And saw the corpse a-coming,
"Oh lay down, and lay him low
That I may look upon him."
11. The more she looked the more she grieved
And burst out to crying
Sweet William died in grief for me,
I'll die for him in sorrow."
12. "Dear father, go and dig my grave
Dig it both long and narrow
Sweet William died for me to-day,
I'll die for him to-morrow."