Barbara Ellen- Hyson (NS) pre1950 Creighton D; Bronson 37.
[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.
R. Matteson 2015]
"Barbara Ellen" [D] - Sung by Dorothy Hyson, Mill Cove.
1. 'Twas early, early in the spring
When all the flowers were changing,
A young man on his death bed lay
For the love of Barbara Ellen.
2. He wrote a note and sent to her
To the place where she was dwelling,
Saving, "Herc's a note for the
For you dear Barbara Ellen."
3. Then slowly, slowly she arose
- And slowly she went to him,
But when she got by his bedside
Says she, "Young man you're dying."
4. "A dying man I know I am,
One kiss from you should cure me."
"One kiss from me you never shall get
If your false heart is breaking.
5. "Do you remember the other night
While in a tavern drinking,
You drank your health to all your friends
And slighted Barbara Ellen."
6. "If you look up above my head
You'll see a napkin hanging,
In it is my gold watch and chain
For you dear Barbara Ellen."
7. "Oh you look up by my bedside
''You'll see a basin standing,
It is filled with tears that I have shed
for you dear Barbara Ellen."
8. Then slowly, slowly she arose.
And slowly she went from him,
But the only words they heard her say,
Was, "The Lord have mercy upon him."
9. He turned his pale face to the wall
And then began a-sighing,
"Adieu adieu to all my friends,
Be good to Barbara Ellen."
10. She had scarcely gone a mile from the town
When she heard his death bells tolling,
And in each tone each seemed to say,
"Oh you cruel Barbara Ellen."
11. She looked to the east, she looked to the west,
She saw his poor corps€e coming,
She begged the carriers to lay him down
That she might gaze upon him.
14. She pressed his cold corpse to her breast
And then she began sighing,
"My true love died for me to-day
I'll die for him to-morrow."
13. Then straight to her father's home she went
And there began a-sighing,
"Go dig my grave, go dig it deep,
Yes, dig it long and narrow."
14. They both were buried in one churchyard
' And there they dwell together,
Out of his grave there grew a rose
And out of hers a briar.
15. They grew and grew till they reached the church spire,
Till they could grow no higher,
They twined themselves in a true lovers' knot,
For all true lovers to admire.