Barbara Allan- Bray (NS) pre1950 Creighton G
[No date given. From Traditional Songs from Nova Scotia, 1950 Creighton and senior. Most of the versions A-G were collected from the 1930s on and are much older than 1950.
R. Matteson 2015]
Barbara Allan [G] sung by Mr. John Bray, Glencoe, NS
1. 'Twas early in the month of May,
When the green leaves were a-budding,
And Willie on his death bed lay
For the love of Barbara Allan.
2. He sent his man down to the town
To the place where she was dwelling,
Saying, 'Haste, oh haste to my master dear
If your name is Barbara Allan."
3. Was slowly, slowly she rose up,
Till she came to where he was lying,
Ana just as she drew the curtains by,
"Young man I think you're dying."
4. "Oh dying, no, that can't ever be,
One kiss from you will cure me,"
"One kiss from me you'll never have
Though your very heart were breaking."
5. "Do you remember last Saturday night
In the ate house you were drinking,
You pushed the wine glass round and round
And slighted Barbara Allan."
6. "Yes I remember last Saturday night,
In the ale house I was drinking,
I drank a health to the room all round
And twice to Barbara Allan.
7. "Look up, look up on my bedroom wall,
You'll see my gold watch hanging,
My gold watch, jewels and silvery chains
Hangs there for Barbara Allan."
8. " Look out, look out at the raging sea,
You'll see three ships a-sailing,
They are not mine, they are not thine,
So fare you well, dear Willie."[1]
9. "'Twas slowly, slowly rose she up,
And slowly, slowly left him,
Saying, "Adieu, adieu my dear friends all,
Be kind to Barbara Allan. "
10 She scarce had gone a mile but one
When she heard the death bell tolling,
And every knell it seemed to say,
Hard hearted Barbara Allan.
11 She scarce had gone a mile but two
When she saw his cold corpse coming,
"Lav down, lay down the corpse," she cried,
"That I may look upon him."
12. "Then mother, mother make my bed soon,
Make it long and narrow,
Since my true love died for me to-day
I'll die for him to-morrow."
13. They both were buried in the same church yard
. . .
Out of Barbara's grave a rose bush grew,
And out of Willie's a briar.
14. They grew unto the steeple top,
Was then they could grow no higher,
And on the top grew a true lover's knot
For all the world to admire.
1. compare to Child C:
14 'O will ye go to the Highland hills,
To see my white corn growing?
Or will ye go to the river-side,
To see my boats a rowing?'