Barbry Allen- Grubb (VA) 1934 Davis EE*
[From Davis, More Traditional Ballads of Virginia. Davis selected 8 versions out of the 26 new versions collected in Virginia since 1929, Traditional Ballads of Virginia was published. Note that Davis EE* is different from Davis EE from TBVa, 1929. I have not included Davis' extensive notes.
R. Matteson 2015]
EE* "Barbry Allen." Phonograph record (aluminum) made by A. K. Davis, Jr. Sung by Mrs. Fanny Grubb, of Salem, Va. Roanoke County. May 30, 1934. Text transcribed by M. J. Bruccoli. Tune noted by G. W. Williams and E. C. Mead. This is a very poor rendition, and the singer fumbles for words. Repetitions and false starts have been omitted from the text.
1 Was the fourteenth day. . . . [1]
When the birds were sweetly singing,
This young man on his death-bed lay
For the love of Barbry Allen.
2 He sent his servant to the town
Where Barbry Allen were dwelling.
My master said [to] bring both of you,[2]
If your name be Barbry Allen."
3 Slowly she rose, slowly she turned,
Slowly she came unto him,
And when she looked upon his face,
She said, "Young man, you're dying."
4 "Yes, I am sick and very sick,
And death is in my dwelling,
And only better I ever can't be
If tr don't get Barbry Allen."
5 "Don't you remember the other day
While drinking at the tavern,
You drank your health to the ladies around
And slighted Barbry Allen?"
6 "Yes, I remember the other day
While drinking at the tavern,
I drank my health to the ladies around,
Likewise to Barbry Allen."
Z She had not got three miles from town
Before death-bells were ringing,
And every tone did seem to say,
"Hard-hearted Barbry Allen."
8 Saying, "Cursed be my name," says she,
"Though cursed be my nature.
I might have saved this young man's life
By doing . . .[3]
9 Sweet Will died today,
And Barbry died tomorrow.
One of them died from fear to live,
And the other one died for sorrow.
10 They taken them both to the new church yard,
And there they both were buried.
A red rose sprang from one of the graves
And a green briar from the other.
11 They grew as tall as the top of the church
And scarce could grow any higher.
They linked and they tied in a true love's knot,
Both lived and died . . .[4]
1. Unclear.
2. Unclear, could be "drink health of you."
3. Unclear.
4. Unclear.