Barbara Allen- Thomas (NS) 1931 Fauset A
[From: Folklore from Nova Scotia; 1931; collected by Arthur Huff Fauset, 1899-1983.
Fauset has recorded by E.C.P. Informant 60; and this for the informant:
60. Kathleen Thomas. White. Aged 19. Born at Blanche, 21 miles from Shelburne. Resident of Shelburne.
It seems clear to me these both these versions were taken from print (or at best, taken from someone who learned them from print) as supplied from the informant. Version A (below) is Percy's English version, Child Bd with very minor alterations (see footnotes).
R. Matteson 2015]
5. BARBARA ALLEN.
In Scarlet Town where I was born
There was a fair maid dwelling,
Made every youth cry. "Wellaway,"
Her name was Barbara Allen.
All in the merry month of May,
When green buds there were swelling,
Young Jimmy Grove on his death bed lay,
For the love of Barbara Allen.
And death is printed on his face,
And o'er his heart a-stealing,
Then haste away to comfort him,
Oh, lovely Barbara Allen.
So slowly, slowly came she up,
And slowly she came near him,
And all she said when she came there,
"Young man, I think you're dying."
He turned his face unto her straight,
With deadly sorrow sighing,
"Oh, pretty maid, come pity me,
I'm on my death bed lying."
"If on your death bed you do be[1],
What needs the tale you're telling,
I cannot keep you from your death,
Farewell," said Barbara Allen.
He turned his face unto the wall,
And death was with him dealing,
Adieu, adieu, my friends all,
Adieu to Barbara Allen.
As she was walking o'er the field,
She heard the bells a-knelling,
And every stroke did seem to say,
Unworthy Barbara Allen.
She turned her body round about,
And spied the corpse a-coming,
"Lay down, lay down the corpse," said she,
"That I may look upon him."
With scornful eyes she looked down,
Her cheeks with laughter swelling
Whilst all her friends cried out amazed[2],
Unworthy Barbara Allen.
When he was dead and in his grave,
Her heart was struck with sorrow,
"Oh, mother, mother, make my bed,
For I shall die tomorrow."
"Hard-hearted creature him to slight,
Who loved me O so dearly,
0, that I'd been more kind to him,
When he was alive and near me."
She on her death bed as she lay,
Begged to be buried by him,
And sore repented of the day,
That she did e'er deny him.
Farewell, she said, ye virgins all,
And shun the fault I fell in,
Henceforth take warning of the fall,
Of cruel Barbara Allen.
1. lay
2. amain