Barbry Allen (originally titled Barbara Allen)- Maud Long (NC) 1947 Loc REC
[Maud Long was the daughter of Jane Gentry, who Sharp collected a version in 1916 (see Bronson No. 54) that was music only. Sharp did not include Jane's text probably because it was similar to others he already collected. This text is through Long from Gentry although it may have changed or been adapted.
See also Nora Hick version c. 1939. Sam Harmon (of Hicks/Harmon lineage) sang the old archaic version. This version sung first by her mother, Jane Hicks Gentry, resembles the Buna Hicks/Lena Harmon versions collected in 1969 by Thomas Burton. It's missing the first stanza.
R. Matteson 2012]
Barbry Allen [my title]- Maud Long (Hot Springs, North Carolina) 1947 Library of Congress; Recorded by Duncan Emrich, Washington D.C.
1. So early, early in the spring,
When the green buds were a-swellin',
There was a young man taken down sick,
Love-sick for Barbry Allen.
2. He sent his servant to the town
Where Barbry she was dwelling,
"My master is sick, love-sick for you,
If you be named Barbry Allen."
3. And slow-ly, slow-ly [1] she put on,
And slow-ly went to him,
When she was there, made this remark:
"Young man, I think you're dying."
4. "It's yes I'm sick, I'm very sick,
And death is dealing with me,
And none the better will I be,
Till I get Barbry Allen."
5. "It's if you're sick, and very sick,
And death is dealing with you,
It's none the better will you ever be,
If you wait for Barbry Allen."
6. For don't you remember in yonders town,
Where we were all a- drinking,
You drunk a health to the ladies all around
But you slighted Barbry Allen.
7. It's yes, I remember in yonders town
Where we were all a-drinking,
I drank a health to the ladies all around
And twas all for Barbry Allen.
8. He turned his pale face to the wall
His back he turned unto them
Adieu, adieu to my kindred all
Be kind to Barbry Allen.
9. She had not gone one mile from town,
When she heard the death bells ringng,
And as they rang, to her they sang,
"Hard-hearted Barbry Allen."
10. She looked to the east, she looked to the west,
She saw the cold corpse coming.
"Oh put him down, oh put him down
And let me look upon him."
11. The more she looked, the more she wept
Till she bursted out in crying.
She cried and cried, until she died,
Hard-hearted Barbry Allen.
12 He was buried in the old church yard,
And she was buried beside him;
And out of his grave sprung a bright red rose,
And out of hers a briar.
13. They grew and grew to the old church tower,
And they could not grow any higher;
They lapped and tied in a true-love's knot
The rose ran 'round the briar.
1. In most versions this y is pronounced, i as in "lie."