Barb'ra Allen- Mace (VA) 1935 Wilkinson D
[From the manuscript book of Winston Wilkinson; 1935-36, p. 73 designated (C) by Bronson (its from Wilkinson's 1st MS book- C), since his No. 62 was C this will be changed to D. Bronson TTCB, 1962, No. 63.
One of many versions from the fertile Brown's Cove area in Virginia.
R. Matteson 2015]
[Barb'ra Allen] Sung by R. H. Mace, Grottoes, Va,, October 30, 1935.
1. It was in the merry month of May
When green buds they were swelling.
A young man on his death-bed lay
For the love of Barb'ra Allen.
2. He sent the message thru' the town
Where this young-girl was dwelling.
You must unto my master go
If your name be Barb'ra Alien.
3. Oh slowly, slowly, she got up
And slowly she went to him.
And when she came to his bed-side,
Young man I believe you're dying.
4. Oh do you remember in yonder's town?
In yonder's town a-drinking?
You passed your glasses all around
And slighted Barb'ra Allen.
5. He turned his pale face to the wall
And sorrow was his leaving.
Adieu, adieu to the pretty girls all
Adieu to Miss Barb'ra Allen.
6. Oh she went walking thru the town,
She heard the church- bell tolling.
And every tone it seemed to say
Hard hearted Barb'ra Allen.
7. Oh she went raging thru the town,
She saw the corpse a-coming.
Set down, set down, those corpse: she said,
And let me gaze upon him.
8. The more she looked the worse she cried,
The farther she got from him.
Said: If I had a been more kind to you
When I were closer to you.
9 Young Jimmy was buried in the new church-yard,
Barb'ra Allen was buried in the choir.
Out of young Jimmy's grave, there sprung a red rose,
Out of Barb'ra Allen's grave a green brier.
10 They growed, they growed to the church steeple top,
Till they could grow no higher.
They linked and tied in a true lover's knot,
The rose wrapped around the brier.