Barbary Allen- Shepherd (NC) 1933 Carter JAF
[From Some Songs and Ballads from Tennessee and North Carolina by Isabel Gordon Carter; The Journal of American Folklore,Vol. 46, No. 179 (Jan. - Mar., 1933), pp. 22-50.
A few references follow.
R. Matteson 2015]
See Child No. 84; JAFL Vol. 20 p. 256; Vol. 29 p. 16o; Vol. 30 p. 317; Vol. 35 p. 343; Cox p. 96; Hartness and Brown p. 213; Sharp p. 20; Campbell and Sharp p. 90.
5. BARBARY ALLEN- Recorded from Abie Shepherd, Bryson City N. C.
I. In Scarland town, where I was born,
There was many fair ladies dwelling,
I choose me one for to be my own,
Her name was Barbary Allen.
2. If I was a man and a mighty man,
A man of my own dwelling,
I would write me a letter of my own heart blood
And send to Barbary Allen.
3. Oh yes I'm a man and a mighty man,
A man of my own dwelling,
I'll write me a letter of my own heart blood
And send to Barbary Allen.
4. All in the merry month of May,
While the green buds were a swelling;
Sweet William on his death bed lay
For the love of Barbary Allen.
5. He sent his servants to the town,
To this young lady's dwelling;
"My master dear has sent me here
For the Lady Barbary Allen."
6. Slowly, slowly rose she up,
And went to where he was lying;
And when she reached him then she spoke,
"Young man I think you're dying."
7. "Oh yes I'm sick, and very sick,
And feel so much like dying;
No better will I ever be
Till I get Barbary Allen."