Bobr'y Allen- Wharton (VA) 1950 Leach JOAFL
[My title- I've changed the title to reflect the singing. From: Songs from Rappahannock County, Virginia by MacEdward Leach and Horace P. Beck; The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 63, No. 249 (Jul. - Sep., 1950), pp. 257-284. Their notes follow.
R. Matteson 2012]
Bobr'y Allen [my title] "Barbara Allen" (Child 84)
Although incomplete in that it leaves out the stanza about the ball and differs in minor respects elsewhere, this is a typical version. It is included for a twofold reason, first because the music and the singing are superb and, most important, that of all the ballads collected, this and this alone seemed to be acceptable to the present-day youth. Although Mr. Wharton, senior, knew many songs, his twenty-three year old son sang only this one traditional ballad, and it was the only one that enjoyed any current popularity. A. K. Davis, Jr., Traditional Ballads of Virginia, p. 302. (C.W.)
1. 'Twas in the merry month of June,
When the green buds they were swellin',
William on his deathbed lay,
For the love of Bobr'y Allen.
2. He sent his servant to town one day,
Where Bobr'y was a dwellin'.
"My master sent me here for you,
If your name is Bobr'y Allen."
3. Slowly, slowly she got up,
Slowly went she nigh him.
And all she said when she got there,
"Young man I think you are dying."
4. "Do you remember in yonder town,
In yonder town a drinkin'?
When you were treating the maids all around
You slighted Bobr'y Allen?"
5. "Yes, I remember in yonder town,
In yon town a drinking,
And I was treating the maids all around
But my heart was for Bobr'y Allen."
6. As she was walking 'cross the field
She saw a corpse acoming.
"Lay down, lay down, your time has come,
That I may look upon you."
7. "Oh Mother, oh Mother, go make my bed.
Go make it long and narrow.
For Willie died for love, pure love.
Now I must die of sorrow.
8. Willie was buried in the old church yard.
Bobr'y was buried beside him.
On Willie's grave grew a red red rose,
On Bobr'y's grew a green briar.
9. They grew so tall round the old church wall
That they could not grow any higher.
All wrapped and tied in a true love's knot,
And the rose grew around the briar.