Barbara Allen

Traditional

1 In Scarlet town where I was born,

  There was a fair maid dwellin'
  Made every youth cry Well-a-day, 
  Her name was Barb'ra Allen. 

2 All in the merry month of May,

  When green buds they were swellin' 
  Young Willie Grove on his death-bed lay, 
  For love of Barb'ra Allen. 

3 He sent his servant to her door

  To the town where he was dwellin' 
  Haste ye come, to my master's call, 
  If your name be be Barb'ra Allen. 

4 So slowly, slowly got she up,

  And slowly she drew nigh him, 
  And all she said when there she came: 
  "Young man, I think you're dying!" 

5 He turned his face unto the wall

  And death was drawing nigh him. 
  Good bye, Good bye to dear friends all, 
  Be kind to Bar'bra Allen 

6 When he was dead and laid in grave,

  She heard the death bell knelling. 
  And every note, did seem to say
  Oh, cruel Barb'ra Allen

7 "Oh mother, mother, make my bed

  Make it soft and narrow
  Sweet William died, for love of me,
  And I shall of sorrow." 

8 They buried her in the old churchyard

  Sweet William's grave was neigh hers
  And from his grave grew a red, red rose
  From hers a cruel briar.

9 They grew and grew up the old church spire

  Until they could grow no higher
  And there they twined, in a true love knot,
  The red, red rose and the briar.

Child #84