Barb'ry Allen- Critzer (VA) 1936 Wilkinson C
[From the manuscript book of Winston Wilkinson; 1935-36, p. 16(C). Bronson TTCB, 1962, No. 62.
One of many version from the fertile Brown's Cove area in Virginia.
R. Matteson 2015]
[Barb'ry Allen] Sung by Mrs. Leona Tomlin Critzer, Charlottesville, Va., October 21, 1936.
1. 'Twas early, early in the spring,
When the green buds they were swelling.
Young Johnny lay on his death-bed,
For the love of Barb'ry Allen.
2. He sent his servant to the town,
To the place where she were dwelling,
Saying, You must come to your master's call,
If your name be Barb'ry Allen.
3. 'Twas slowly, slowly she got up,
And 'twas slowly she anigh him;
And slowly she laid those curtains back:
Young man, I think you are dying.
4. Yes, I know I'm sick and very sick,
And death within me a-dwelling;
But never more will I rise from hire,
If I don't get Barb'ry Allen.
S. 9ly don't you remember last Easter night,
When we was both at the town together?
You drink a health to the ladies round,
And slighted Barb'ry Allen.
6. He turned his face over to the wall,
And he burst out a-crying;
Saying, Good-bye friends, to you one and all,
It's for your sake I am dying.
7. As she was going across the field
She heard the church bells ringing;
And every stroke did seem to say:
Hard hearted Barb'ry Allen.
8. As she was coming down the street,
She saw the corpse a-coming.
Let down, let-down the corpse, I say,
That I might look upon him.
9. Go dig my grave both wide and deep,
And dig it deep and narrow;
Young Johnny died for me today,
I'll die for him tomorrow.
10. Young Johnny were laid in the old church yard,
And Barb'ry laid by the side of him;
And out of Johnny's grave grew a red, red rose,
And out of Barb'ry's a brier.
11. They grew and grew to the church steeple's top,
And 'twas there they could grow no higher;
They plaited a twist, 'twas a true love's knot.
One died for the love of the other.