Barb'ra Allen- Morris (VA) 1935 Wilkinson A
[From the manuscript book of Winston Wilkinson; 1935-36, p. 69(A). Bronson TTCB, 1962, No. 60.
One of many version from the fertile Brown's Cove area in Virginia.
R. Matteson 2015]
[Barb'ra Allen] Sung by Mrs. Jane Morris, Harriston,Va., October 16, 1935.
1.'Twas in the merry month of May,
The green buds they were a-swelling,
Young jimmy mourned on his death bed,
For the love of Barb'ra Allen.
2. He sent his men unto her then,
In the town where she was dwelling,
You must go to my master,
If your name be Barb'ra Allen.
3. So slowly she put on her clothes,
So slowly came a-nigh him,
The word she said when she got there:
Young man I think you're dying.
4 He turned his back onto her then,
And death was on him dealt;
Adieu, adieu, to my friends all,
Farewell to Barb'ra Allen.
5. So many miles she went from there,
Sh. heard the bells a-knelling,
And every stroke did seem to say:
Hard hearted Barb'ra Allen.
6. She turned her body round and about,
She spied the corpse a-coming,
Sit down sit down the body: says she,
That I may look upon it.
7. So scornful she did look on him,
Her cheeks were not a-swelling
Her friends were crying out for shame,
Hard hearted Barb'ra Allen.
8. Young Jimmy died, it might be today,
And Allen died tomorrow,
Young Jimmy died for pure, pure love,
Young Allen died for sorrow.