Barbry Allen- Ward/Porter (VA) 1959 REC
[From Ballads and Songs of the Blue Ridge Mountains; Persistence and Change; Various Artists FW03831 / AH 3831. Recorded 1959, sung by Granny Porter with fiddle by Wade Ward.
Liner notes follow. It's peculiar that the ballad ends abruptly - leaving off the last stanzas.
R. Matteson 2015]
Wade Ward (1892–1971) was an American old-time music banjo player and fiddler from Independence, Virginia.
Molly. Like Wade, Granny stems from a family of old time musicians. Her father was the renowned fiddler Van Sage, and Granny who was 81 the year we recorded her "Barbry Allen" (1959) has known and loved the old time music all her long life. Granny's repartee and memory remain sharp as a tack, and she is a great wit and story teller. She herself played the fretless banjo when she was young, and sang as well. Her ear is still very accurate, and we have heard her nag Wade when he is trying to remember a long-fallow tune until he finally gets every note right, just as it rings in her memory from the country dances of a half-century or more ago.
Though traditional ballads were usually sung without accompaniment, a fiddle or dulcimer was occasionally used. This rare recording by Granny Porter and Wade Ward is a unique rendition of what is probably the most popular folk-ballad in the English language.
Barbry Allen - sung by Granny Porter, with Wade Ward, fiddle
In yonders town where I was born
There was a fair maid dwelling
Might every youth to weep and mourn
Her name was Barbry Allen.
One day one day in the month of May
When the green leaves were a-swelling
Young William came from the western state
And courted Barbry Allen.
It was early, early in the month of June
When the flowers were a-bloomin'
Young William on his death-bed lay
For the love of Barbry Allen.
He sent his servant through the town
To the place where she was dwelling
Saying wherever you be they call for you
If your name be Barbry Allen.
So slowly, slowly she fixed up
And slowly she came nigh him
The only words she said to him
Were young man I think you're dying.
Oh yes I'm sick and very sick
And on my death-bed lying
But better for thee I still could be
One kiss from you would cure me.
I know you be sick and very sick
And on your death-bed lying
But better for you, you'll never never be
Though your heart's blood were a-spilling.
For don't you remember the other night
When you were in town a-drinking
You drank the health to the ladies all around
And slighted Barbry Allen.
Oh yes I remember the other night
When I was in the town a-drinking
I drunk the health of the ladies all around
But my heart to Barbry Allen.