Barbara Allen- Mulhollan (AR-MO) 1888 Randolph H
[From Ozark Folksongs; Randolph, I, 1946, p. 133(H). Randolph's notes include this curious comment, "There are several commercial records of this ballad, of which those by Al Craver (Columbia 15126-D) and Vernon Dalhart (Brunswick 117) are probably the best." It should be noted that Dalhart and Craver are the same person!! Craver is one of the many pseudonyms Dalhart used to record for different companies.
This is the Child A (Percy/Ramsey) text and was likely copied from a print source.
R. Matteson 2015]
H. "Barbara Allen" - Contributed by Miss Fanny Mulhollan, Pineville, Mo., Aug. 24, 1927. copied from an old manuscript in her possession. Miss Mulhollan says that this version was sung by friends of hers in Searcy, Ark., in 1888, and was known as "Bonnie Barbara Allen."
It was in and about the Martinmas time,
When the green leaves were a-falling ,
The Sir John Graen, in West Country,
Fell in love with Barbara Allen.
He sent his man down through the town,
To the place where she was dwelling,
Oh haste and come to my master dear
Gin you be Barbara Allen.
Oh hooly[1], hooly rose she up
To the place where he was lying,
And when she drew the curtain by,
Young man, I think you're dying.
Oh it's I am sick, and very very sick,
And 'tis a' for Barbara Alien,
Oh the better for me ye's never be,
Though your heart's blood were a-spilling.
Oh dinna ye mind, young man, said she,
When ye was in the tavern a-drinking,
That ye made the healths gae round and round,
And slighted[2] Barbara Allen.
He turned his face into the wall,
And death was with him dealing,
Adieu, adieu, my kind friends all,
And be kind to Barbara Allen.
And slowly, slowly raise she up,
And slowly, slowly left him,
And sighing said she could not stay
Since death of life had reft him.
She had not gane a mile but twa
When she heard the dead bell ringing,
And every jow that the dead bell gied
It cried woe to Barbara Allen.
Oh mother, mother, make my bed,
Oh make it saft and narrow,
Since my love died for me today
I'll die for him tomorrow.
1. holy
2. originally "slited"