Barbra Allen- Littrell (NC) 1925 Lunsford D
[My designation: version D (there are 7 versions in this collection; one version by Beatrice Dorsey was obviously copied from print and will not be included). From the Southern Appalachian Archives, Liston B. Ramsey Center for Regional Studies, Mars Hill University; Bascom Lamar Lunsford Collection, Box 69, Folder B;
This may be from School Collection is from students at local schools from c. 1925-1935. Minor editing for spelling, capitalization and punctuation.
R. Matteson 2015]
Barbra Allen- Written by Bessie Littrell Dec. 14th 1925 Asheville N.C.
(1) In London city where I once did dwell
There's[1] where I got my learning
I fell in love with a pretty young girl
her name was Barbra Allen.
(2) I courted her for seven long years
she said she would not have me
Then straight way home as I could go
and liken to a dying
(3) I wrote her a letter on my death bed
I wrote it slow and morning
go take this letter to my old true love
and tell her I am dying
(4) She took the letter in her lilly white hand
she read it slow and morning
go take this letter back to him
and tell him I am coming
(5) As she passed by his dying bed
she saw his pale lips quivering
"I'm sick Im sick and very sick
and almost dying
no better no better Ill ever be
until I get Barbra Allen
(6) You're sick and very sick
and almost dying
no better no better you will ever be
for you can't get Barbra Allen
(7) As she went down the long stair steps
she heard the death bell toning
and every bell appeared to say
'Hard hearted Barbra Allen."
(8) As she went down the long piney walk
she heard some small birds singing
and every bird appeared to say,
"Hard hearted Barbra Allen."
(9) She looked to the East she looked to the west
she saw the pale corpse coming
go bring them pale corpse unto me
and let me gaze upon them
(10) Oh mamma go make my bed
go make it soft and narrow
Sweet Willie died to day for me
Ill die for him to morrow
(11) They buried Sweet Willie in the old church yard
they buried Miss Barbra beside him
and out of his grave there sprang a red rose
and out of hers a briar
(12) They grew to the top of the old church tower
they could not grow any higher
they hooked they tied in a true lover's knot
red rose around the briar
1. usually "That's"