Barbara Allen- Short (MO) 1941 Randolph M; Bronson 119
[My title. Two stanzas from Ozark Folksongs; Randolph, I, 1946, p. 136(M). 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.
R. Matteson 2015]
M. "Barbara Allen" Sung by Mrs Lillian Short, Cabool, Mo., May 30, 1941. Learned from Lucy Short Dillard, Crane, Mo.
1. In Scarlet Town where I was born
There was a fair maid dwellin',
Made ev'ry youth cry well away,
Her name was Barbara Allen.
z. All in the merry month of May,
When green buds they were swellin',
Sweet William on his death bed lay
For love of Barbara Allen.
3. And death was printed on his face,
And o'er his heart was stealin',
Then haste away to comfort him,
Oh lovely Barbara Allen.
4. So slowly, slowly she came up,
And slowly she came nigh him,
And all she said when there she came,
Young man, I think you're dyin'.
5. He turned his face unto her straight,
With deadly sorrow sighin',
Oh pretty maid, come pity me,
I'm on my deathbed lyin'.
6. If on your deathbed you do lie,
What need the tale you're tellin',
I cannot keep you from your death,
Farewell, says Barbara Allen.
7. As she was walking o'er the field
She heard the bells a-knellin',
And every stroke did seem to say:
Unworthy Barbara Allen.
8. She turned her body round about
And spied the corpse a-comin',
Lay down, lay down the corpse, she said,
That I may look upon him.-
9. With scornful eyes she then looked down,
Her cheeks with laughter swellin',
While all her friends cried out amain,
Unworthy Barbara Allen.
10. When he was dead and in his grave
Her heart was struck with sorrow,
Oh mother, oh mother, come make my bed,
For I shall die tomorrow.
11. Hard-hearted creature him to slight
Who loved me all so dearly,
Oh that I'd been more kind to him
When he was alive and near me!
12. She on her deathbed as she lay,
Begged to be buried by him,
And sore repented of the day
That she did e'er deny him.
13. Farewell, she said, ye virgins all,
And shun the fault I fell in,
Henceforth take warning of the fall
Of cruel Barbara Allen.