Barbary Allen- Frasier (ON) 1962 Fowke
[From: Traditional Singers and Songs from Ontario, by Edith Fowke, 1965. Resembles Child A. The second line (1st stanza) is unusual.
R. Matteson 2015]
Barbary Allen- Sung by Mrs. A. Fraser, August, 1962
1. All in the merry month of May
When the merle and mavis were singing,
Sir John Graeme in the West Country
Fell in love with Barbary Allen.
2. He sent his man into the town,
To the place where she was dwelling,
"Oh haste and come to my master," he said,
"Gin ye be Barbara Allen."
3, Oh slowly, slowly rose she up
And slowly she drew nigh him,
And as she pulled the curtain by,
"Young man, I think you're dying."
4. "Oh yes, I'm sick, I'm very, very sick,
My heart is well nigh breaking,
And nothing will do me any any good
But a kiss from Barbary Allen."
5. "Oh don't ye mind, young man," she said,
"Ye were in the tavern a-drinking;
You drank a health to all fair maid's,
And slighted Barbara Allen."
6. He turned his face unto the wall
And death was with him dealing.
"Adieu, adieu, kind friends, adieu,
Be kind to Barbara Allen."
7. She had not gone a mile but twa
When she heard the death knell ringing,
And every sound the death knell rang
Cried- "Woe to Barbara Allen."
8 "O Mother, Mother, make my bed
And make it neat and narrow;
Since my love died for me today,
I'll die for him tomorrow."
9. They buried her in the green churchyard,
They buried him beside her,
And on his grave grew a red, red rose,
And on her grave a brier.