Barbree Ellen- Dunagan (KY) 1917 Sharp MS
[My title. Single stanza with music as Bronson 147, from Sharp MSS., 3281. Notes from Sharp's diary follow,
R. Matteson 2015]
Sharp diary 1917 page 257. Thursday 6 September 1917 - Beattyville KY
We hear there is a gasoline paddle boat which goes down the river to Malowby[?] — 3 miles on our way. So we take this at 8 a.m. & then walk on to the Dunagans buying a parcel of coffee & other dainties to take to the old lady. We get several more songs from her and a neighbour Mrs Thomas who looked in sang us a good version of Queen Jane — my 42nd Child! We like these people very much and sing many songs to them as well as they to us. No boat to help us on our way back so have to tramp it home arriving at 4 p.m. Our dysentery is rather better though Maud has still a good deal of pain. I fancy it is going slowly and that in a day or so we shall be all right. But we are both pretty weakened by it, though our weakness may be partly due to the lack of food. Feeding and accommodation here very indifferent. Can’t get anything done for us.
[Barbree Ellen]- Sung by Mrs. Margaret Dunagan, St. Helen's, Lee County, Ky., September 6, 1917. Sharp MSS, 3281/.
In Starlings Town, where I was born,
I saw many a maids a dwelling
I chose me one to be my bride
And her name was Barbree Ellen.