Barb'ra Allen- Hall (VA) 1935 Wilkinson B
[From the manuscript book of Winston Wilkinson; 1935-36, p. 71(B). Bronson TTCB, 1962, No. 61.
One of many version from the fertile Brown's Cove area in Virginia.
R. Matteson 2015]
[Barb'ra Allen] Sung by Mrs. Tom Hall, Altavista Va., October 20, 1935.
1. 'Twas once I lived in a scornful town,
'Twas there I got my learning.
'Twas there I courted a pretty fair miss.
Her name was Barb'ra Allen.
z. I courted her for pure true-love,
She said she would not marry.
She turned me down and broke my heart,
Hard hearted Barb'ra Allen.
3. Soon this young man was taken very sick,
And sent for this young lady.
So slowly she walked up the street,
To see this young man dying.
4. Young man, young man, I see you're very sick,
And now I see you're dying.
One kiss from you would ease my pain,
Hard hearted Barb'ra Allen.
5. One kiss from me you shall not have,
Although I see you're dying.
He turned his pale face to the wall,
And there he lay a-crying.
6. Sweet William died on Saturday night,
And Barb'ra Allen on Sunday.
And the mothers died for the love of both,
And were buried on Easter Monday.
7. They carried them down to the old church yard,
And buried them there together.
And from his grave grew a beautiful rose,
And out of hers a brier.
8. They grew and grew to the old church top,
And could not grow no farther.
They linked and tied in a true lover's knot,
And lived and died together.