Barbra Allen- Seena Helms (NC) 1980 Helms REC
[From Hand-Me-Down Music: Old Songs, Old Friends - Vol. 2 by Karen G. Helms; Traditional Music of Union County, North Carolina, 1980.
Although this was learned from her parents, Seena Helms' version is Child A and is derived at some point (probably from her parents) from print.
R. Matteson 2015]
Barb'ra Allen -Sung by Seena Helms, recorded in 1980. Learned from her parents.
It was in and about the Martinmas time
when the green leaves were fallin';
That Sir John Graemee in the west country
Fell in love with Barb'ra Allen.
He sent his men down through the town
To the place where she was dwellin';
O haste and come to my master dear,
Gin ye be Barb'ra Allan.
O hooly, hooly rose she up,
To the place where he was lyin',
And when she drew the curtain by,
"Young man, I think you’re dyin'."
‘O it’s I’m sick, and very, very sick,
And ’tis for Barbara Allan:’
‘O the better for me ye’s never be,
Though your heart’s blood were a spilling.
"O dinna ye mind, young man," said she,
"When you was in the tavern a drinking,
That ye made the healths[1] go round and round,
And slighted Barb'ra Allen?"
He turned his face unto the wall,
And death was with him dealing:
"Adieu, adieu, my dear friends all,
And be kind to Barb'ra Allen."
And slowly, slowly rose she up,
And slowly, slowly left him,
And sighing said, she could not stay,
Since death of life had left him.
She had not gone a mile but two,
When she heard the dead-bell ringin',
And ever' jow that the dead-bell geid,
It cried, "Woe to Barb'ra Allen!"
"O mother, mother, make my bed
O make it soft and narrow
Since my love died for me today,
I’ll die for him tomorrow."
1. She sings, "hearts".