Barb'ry Allen- Glenn (AR) 1954 Parler A
[From Ozark Collection (No. 1); collected by Mary Celestia Parler Reel 187, Item 9.
R. Matteson 2015]
A. Barb'ry Allen- Sung by Mrs. Birdia Glenn of Fayetteville, Ark. April 29, 1954.
'Twas ear-lie in the month of May
The buds was just a-swelling,
Sweet William on his death bed lay,
For the love of Barb'ry Allen.
He sent his servant to the town,
To the town where she was dwelling,
"My master sent me here today
For the love of Barb'ry Allen.
Slow-lie, slow-lie, she got up,
And slow-luh she went to him,
And all she said when she got there,
"Young man, I believe you're a-dying."
"Oh, yes I'm sick and very sick.
And death's all through me dwelling,
But I'll never see another day
If I don't get Barb'ry Allen."
"Oh, yes you're sick, you're very sick,
And death's all through you dwelling,
If you never see another day,
You won't get Barb'ra Allen."
He turned his pale face to the wall,
He turned his back upon her,
"Adieu, adieu, to the ladies all,
Farewell to Barb'ry Allen."
She had not got one mile from town
Till she heard the death-bell ringing,
It ring so clear and so so plain,
Hard-hearted Barb'ry Allen.
She had not got two miles from town
Till she saw the corpse a-coming,
"Go lay me down those cold clay corpse,
Let me look once more upon him.
"Oh, Father, oh Father, go dig me a grave,
Go dig it long and narrow,
Sweet William died for me today,
I'll die for him tomorrow."
On William's grave grew a rosy bush,
On Barb'ry Allen's grew a green briar,
They grew till they tied in a lover's knot,
And never grew no higher.