Barbry Allen- Martin (AR) 1962 Parler N
[From Ozark Collection (No. 14); Collected by Brenda Jo Upton; Reel 401, Item 14.
R. Matteson 2015]
BARBRY ALLEN - Sung by Mrs. Montie Martin of Jasper, Ark. on April 25, 1962
All in the happy days of May
When the buds were all a-swelling,
Sweet William lie on his death bed
For the sake of Barbry Allen.
He sent a servant to her house
And to her father's dwelling.
My master said for you to come there
And let your name be Barbara Allen.
Slowlie, slowlie as she rose up
Slowlie as she went to him,
She jerked the curtains from o'er his bed,
"Young man, I'm feared you're dying."
Oh yes I'm sick and very sick
And death's on me a-dwelling,
And no better I'll ever be
Till I get Miss Barbara Allen.
Oh yes you're sick and very sick
And death's on you a-dwelling,
And no better you'll ever be
You'll never get Barbara Allen.
Oh do you remember that long summer day
When we was near the tavern[1],
You passed your wine to the ladies all
And slighted Barbara Allen.
Oh yes I remember that long summer day
When we was near the cavern,
I passed my wine to the ladies all
My love to Barbara Allen.
Slowlie, slowlie as she rose up
Slowlie as she went from him,
She scarely got three miles from there
Til she heard his death bell a-ringing.
Oh mother, dear mother, go make my bed
And make it long and narrow.
Sweet William died for me today,
I'll die for him tomorrow.
Sweet William was buried in the new church yard
And Barbara Allen inthe other.
A rose, a rose from Sweet William's breast
And out of Barbie's a briar.
And there they grew to the top of the church
And they could not grow no higher.
They lapped and tied in a true love knot
And the rose run round the briar.
1. original transcription has "cavern"