Barb'ra Ellen- Dooley (VA) 1918 Sharp MS
[My title. Single stanza with music as Bronson 106, from Sharp MSS., 3246. Notes from Sharp's diary follow,
R. Matteson 2015]
Sharp diary 1918 page 160. Thursday 6 June 1918 - Blue Ridge Springs
Breakfast at 6.30. Caught 7 train for Dewey a small flag-station between here & Montvale. Walked to Mrs Donald’s house and got Mrs Donald — an old lady — to sing which she did very beautifully giving me 10 first rate tunes — words not of much account. Then walked on to the Lawson Gray’s eating our lunch in a wood (bread and raisins is my fare, but Maud debauches herself with hard-boiled eggs) getting there about 11. Had quite a concert, Mrs Tina Dooley, Mr Gray’s sister being there and singing rather well. We sang a great many songs, The two Crows being the most popular one. I got some nice songs and at 2.30 we walked back to Montvale station, in a shower, which though not very heavy, spoiled my new white umbrella! Very tired on getting back. Had milk and tea & rested till dinner. Sang songs on verandah to the hotel guests in the evening.
[Barb'ra Ellen] - Sharp MSS., 4345/. Sung by Mrs. Tina Dooley, Montvale, Va. June 6, 1918.
The first day of last May
When green buds they were swelling
Young Jimmy Grew on his death-bed lay
For the love of Barb'ra Ellen.