Barbara Allen- Griffin (AR) 1958 Parler F
[From Ozark Collection (No. 6); Collected and transcribed by Mary Celestia Parler; Reel 293, Item 6.
R. Matteson 2015]
Barbara Allen- Sung by Mrs. Hallie Griffin of Conway, Arkansas on July 27, 1958
There were three maids, there were three maids
There were three maids dwelling
The ______ one I called my own
And that was Barbara Allen.
Young man, recollect the other day
When you were in town drinking,
You drank a toast to the ladies all
But you slighted Barbara Allen.
He sent a servant to the town,
He sent him to her dwelling,
Saying, Master’s sick and sends for you
If your name be Barbara Allen.
Then slowly slowly she rose up
And to his bedside going
And all she said wherever she stood
Was Young man, I fear you're dying.
Oh, yes, you're sick, and very sick,
And death is on you dwelling
No better, no better, you ever shall be,
Cried cruel Barbara Allen.
He turned his pale face to the wall
And burst out crying;
Saying, Adieu, adieu to one and all
Be kind to Barbara Allen.
As she was walking up the streets
She heard the bells tolling,
And every word they seemed to say
Was Cruel Barbara Allen.
She turned to the east, then looked to the west,
And saw those cold corpse coming,
Sit down, sit down, this mournful corpse
And let me look upon it.
Sit down, sit down this mournful corpse
And let me look upon it,
For I could hare saved this young man's life
If I had but said that I love him.
Sweet William died on a Friday night
Miss Barbara died on Saturday
The old woman died for love of both
She died on Easter Sunday.