Barb'ra Allen- Housley (PA-OH) pre1939 Eddy C
[My title, based on her singing. No date given, most of Eddy's version are much older than the publication date. From Ballads and Songs from Ohio; Eddy, 1939. It resembles Percy's English text, Child Bd.
R. Matteson 2015]
BONNY BARBARA ALLEN
(Child, No.84)
C. BARB'RA ALLEN. From Mrs. Anna E. Housley, Canton, Ohio. Rev. Edwin Housley and his wife took this down from the singing of Mrs. Housley's mother when she was aged 91. As is true of her other songs recorded in this volume, Mrs. Housley learned it in her old home in Lancaster Co., Pa.
1. In Scarlet Town where I was born,
There lived a fair maid dwelling;
Made every "Well a way!"
Her name was Barb'ra Allen.
2. All in the very month of May,
When green buds they were swelling,
Sweet William came from the western states
And courted Barbara Allen.
3. It was all in the month of June,
When all things they were blooming,
Sweet William on his deathbed lay
For the love of Barb'ra Allen.
4. He sent his name unto her then,
To the town where she was dwelling;
"You must come and see my master dear
If your name be Barb'ra Allen."
5. Then slowly, slowly she came up,
And slowly she came nigh him;
"Oh, lovely maid, come pity me,
I'm on my deathbed lying."
6. "If on your deathbed you do lie,
What needs the tale you're telling?
I cannot keep you from your death;
Farewell," said Barb'ra Allen.
7. He turned his face unto the wall,
With deadly sorrow sighing;
"Adieu, adieu, adieu to you all,
Adieu to Barb'ra Allen."
8. As she was going o'er the field,
She heard the bells a-knelling,
And every stroke did seem to say,
"Unworthy Barb'ra Allen."
9. She turned her body round about
And spied the corpse a-coming;
"Lie down, lie down the corpse," she said,
"That I may look upon him."
10. With scornful eyes she looked down,
Her cheeks with laughter swelling,
Whilst all her friends cried out a mine,
"Unworthy Barb'ra Allen."
11. On Monday morning she took sick,
Her heart was struck with sorrow;
"Oh, mother, mother, make my bed,
For I shall die tomorrow.
12. "Farewell, farewell, ye virgins all,
And shun the fault I fell in,
And all take warning by the fall
Of poor Barb'ra Allen."