Barbara Ellen- Henneberry (NS)pre1950 Creighton F
[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.
Lisa is a great-niece of Ben Henneberry- following is an explanation of their relationship. According to Creighton, Ben also sang this ballad to the tune of "The Rich Counsellor."
R. Matteson 2015]
Sheilagh Hunt, 2004: Rita Priscilla Henneberry (born Oct. 29, 1919 in Halifax, died August 11, 2004), daughter of Clarence Henneberry and Hilda Henneberry (were first cousins who married). in Eastern Passage-see 1901 Automated genealogy Census transcription record for household # 176). This Rita Priscilla had five sisters and two brothers- Doris, Aletha, Mary, Anna
9married Brad Bradstock), John, Lawrence, Doreen & Marian. An aunt of Rita's was my mother-in-law Violet Martha Henneberry (born April 17, 1900 on Devil's Island, N.S.-died 1997 in London, Ontario). She was one of six children of Benjamin Henneberry (born Jan. 27, 1863 in Eastern Passage, N.S.) who married a Priscilla Salarel (born Nov. 16, 1872 in England).
Barbara Ellen [F] - Rita Priscilla Henneberry (born Oct. 29, 1919, died August 11, 2004), Devil's Island, NS
1. In Scarlet town where I was born
There was a fair maid dwelling,
Made every youth cry, "well oh well, "
And her name was Barbara Ellen.
2. It was all in the month of May,
When all things were swelling-
Sweet William came from the Western States
And he courted Barbara Ellen.
3. It was all in the month of May
When all things were a-blooming,
Sweet William on his death bed lay
For the sake of Barbara Ellen.
4. He sent his servants through the town
Where Barbara was a dwelling
Saying, "My master is sick and he sends for you
If your name is Barbara Ellen."
5. "And death is painted on his cheeks
And o'er his heart is stealing,
Go hasten away to comfort him
Oh lovely Barbara Ellen."
6. So slowly, slowly she got up,
And slowly she drew nigh him,
And all she said when she got there,
"Young man I think you're dying."
7. "Yes I am sick, I'm very sick,
And death on me is dwelling,
No better, no better I never will be
If I can't have Barbara Ellen."
8. "Yes, you're sick, you're very sick
And death is on you dwelling,
No better no better you never will be
For you can't have Barbara Ellen."
9. "Do you remember in yonder town,
When you were at the tavern,
You drank your toasts to the girls around
And you sighed[1] to Barbara Ellen?"
10. He turned and looked upon the wall,
There is a sachel hanging,
My gold watch and forty pounds
Give them to Barbara Ellen.
11 As she was on her highway home,
The birds they kept a singing
They sing so clear they seem to say,
"It was cruel oh Barbara Ellen."
12. As she was walking o'er the fields
She heard the church bells knelling,
They ring so clear they seem to say
Hard hearted Barbara Ellen.
13. "Oh mother! Oh mother, go make my bed,
Go make it long and narrow,
Sweet William died for me to-day
And I'll die for him to-morrow.
L4. "Oh father! Oh father, go dig my grave
Go dig it long and narrow,
Sweet William died for pure pure love
And I will die for sorrow. "
15. She was buried in the old churchyard
And he was buried a nigh her,
On William's grave there grew a red rose
On Barbara's grew a green brier.
16. They grew till they reached the steeple tall
And then they grew no higher,
On William's grave there grew a red rose,
On Barbara's grave a green brier.
1. "slighted" instead of "sighed to"