Barbra Allen- Crymes (AR) 1954 Parler S
[From Ozark Collection (No. 20); Collected by Mary Jo Davis For M. C. Parler; Reel 193 Item 4.
Resembles Child Bd, Percy's text.
R. Matteson 2015]
Barb'ra Allen - Sung by Mrs. Jim Crymes of DeVall's Bluff, Arkansas June 15, 1954
In Scarlet town, where I was born,
There was a fair maid dwelling,
And every youth cried, "well a-way,"
Her name was Barb'ra Allen.
All in the merry month of May,
When the green buds were swelling,
Young Jimmy Graves on his deathbed lay,
For the love of Barb'ra Allen.
He sent his men unto her,
To the town where she was dwelling,
Saying "You must to my master come,
If your name be Barb'ra Allen.
For death is printed on his face,
And o'er his heart is stealing,
Then haste to comfort him,
Oh lovely Barb'ra Allen.
Though death be printed on his face,
And o'er his heart is stealing,
Yet little better he will be,
For bonny Barb'ra Allen.
So slowly, slowly she came up,
And slowly she came nigh him,
And all she waid when she came there,
Young man, I think you're dying.
He turned his face toward her straight,
With deathly sorrow sighing,
Oh pity me, come pity me,
I'm on my death bed lying.
If on your deathbed you do lie,
What need the tales your telling,
I cannot keep you from your death,
Farewell, said Barb'ra Allen.
He turned his face toward the wall,
And death was with him dwelling,
Adieu, adieu, my friends adieu,
Adieu to Barb'ra Allen.
As she was walking o'er the fields,
She heard the bells a-toning,
And every stroke did seem to say,
Unworthy Barb'ra Allen.
She turned her body 'round and about,
And spied the corpse a-coming,
"Lie down, lie down, the corpse she said,
That I may look upon him."
With scornful eyes, she looked down,
Her cheeks with laughter swelling,
While all her friends cried out amazed,
"Unworthy, Barb'ra Allen."
When he was dead and in his grave,
Her heart was wound with sorrow,
Oh mother, mother make my bed,
For I shall die tomorrow.
Hardhearted creature him to slight,
Who loved me so, so dearly,
Oh that I'd been more kind to him,
When he was alive and near me.
And on her deathbed as she lay,
Begged to be buried by him,
And so repented of the day,
That she did e'er deny him.
Farewell, she said, ye virgins all,
And shun the fault I fell in,
Henceforth, take warning by the fall,
Of cruel Barb'ry[1] Allen.
1. sings "Barb'ry" the only time.