Barbara Ellen- Parsons (TN) 1917 Sharp MS
[My title. Fifteen stanzas with music as Bronson 173, from Sharp MSS., 3602/2664. Notes from Sharp's diary follow,
R. Matteson 2015]
[Barbara Ellen]- Sung by Miss Alice Parsons of Letcher County, Ky., at Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, Tenn., April 27, 1917.
1 Twas early in the month of May
The flowers were a-blooming,
Sweet Williams came from a Western State
And courted Barbara Ellen.
2 Twas early in the month of June,
The peach trees were a-bearing,
Sweet Williams on his death-bed lay
For the sake of Barbara Ellen.
3. He sent his servant to the town
Where Barbara was a-dwelling,
My master's sick and sent for you,
Your name is Barbara Ellen.
4. So slowly, slowly, she got up,
So slowly she went to him.
When she got there she said: Kind sir
Kind sir, I think you're dying.
5. O yes, I'm sick and very sick
And death is on me dwelling.
No better, no better I ever will be
If I can't get Barbara Ellen.
6. O yes, you're sick and very sick
And death is on you dwelling.
No better, no better you ever will be,
For you can't get Barbara Ellen.
7. Do you remember the other night
When we were all out together,
You treated all the ladies all around,
You slighted Barbara Ellen.
8. O yes, I remember the other night
When we were all out together,
I gave my health to the ladies all around,
My heart to Barbara Ellen.
9. He turned his pale face to the wall,
His back he turned upon her.
Adieu, adieu to my friends all around,
Be kind to Barbara Ellen.
10. As she was on her highway home,
The birds flew singing around her,
In spite of all they seemed to sing:
Hard-hearted Barbara Ellen.
11. She looked to the East and she looked to the West,
She saw his corpse a-coming.
O go lay down that lovely corpse,
That I may look upon him.
12. The more she looked the better she liked,
She fell to the ground a-crying:
O Mamma, O mamma, you are to blame,
You would not let me have him.
13. Go dig my grave, go dig it deep,
Go dig it long and narrow.
Sweet Williams died for me in love,
I'll die for him in sorrow.
14. Sweet Williams was buried in the old churchyard,
Barbara Ellen they laid beside him;
And out of his grave there grew a red, red rose
And out of her a green briar.
15. They grew to the top of the old church wall,
Perhaps a little higher,
And tied themselves to true love's knots,
For all true lovers to admire.