Barb'ra Ellen- Hornby (TN) 1917 Sharp MS
[My title. Single stanza with music as Bronson 104, from Sharp MSS., 3566. Notes from Sharp's diary follow,
R. Matteson 2015]
Sharp diary 1917 page 115. Tuesday 17 April 1917 - Mount Smokey Academy
Dr. Johnson is a very decent fellow and behaved like a gentleman last night. Of course Storey knew nothing. In the morning we all went to a farmer named Jas A. Maples from whom and his wife I got several songs. In the afternoon Storey drove Johnson into Sevierville and Maud and I drew Bird’s Creek and got one or two more songs. Mrs. Maples had known Little Sir Hugh, but had forgotten it and promised to try & remember it before I went. Mrs. Storey was ill in the evening so Maud and I typed & wrote up our songs. Mrs. Storey is young, about 25, and Storey, I imagine a year or so older. They have one child Lucille, a nice little girl 2 years old but dreadfully spoiled. Stays up till they go to bed, eats more or less what they eat and is encouraged to "show off" on all occasions, and this is rather annoying & irritates me dreadfully. It is as bad as having a dog in the house! I waited up for Storey who returned about 10.30. Weather very hot indeed, as hot as last August in the mountains.
"Barb'ra Ellen" - Sung by Mrs. Matilda Hornby, Bird's Creek, Sevierville, Sevier County, Tenn., April 17, 1917. Sharp MSS., 3566/.
'Twas in the early months of May
When the red rose buds were swelling
Sweet William on his death-bed lay
For the love of Barb'ra Ellen.