Barb'ry Ellen- Sizemore (KY) 1933 Niles A
[From the Ballad Book of John Jacob Niles, 1961. Niles claims that he used this full version after hearing it in 1934. Only stanzas 6-8 seem to be arranged- the rest seems traditional- with Niles you never know.
What he says about the ballad (in his Ballad Book) is contradicted by the Life magazine article (1943) about him. In it the writers says Niles "singing career began at age 9 when his father taught his 17 verses of Barbary Ellen." Niles however says as late as 1932 he was singing a 10 stanza version and that after collecting the following version, he added more verses to his 10 stanza version.
He either completely forgot- or more likely- says whatever he wants with no thought about the truth, making it up to present his collecting in an advantageous way.
R. Matteson 2015]
Barb'ry Ellen- Carter Sizemore, Puncheon Camp Creek, Breathitt County, KY. Fall 1933.
1. In Scarlet Town where I was born,
There was a fair maid dwelling,
Made ev'ry youth cry "Well-a-day,"
Her name was Barb'ry Ellen.
2. 'Twas in the merry month of May,
When the green buds they were swelling,
"Sweet William on his deathbed lay,
For the love of Barb'ry Ellen.
3. He sent his servant to the town,
To the place where she was dwelling,
Said, 'O Master bids you come to him,
If your name be Barb'ry Ellen."
4. Then slowly, slowly got she up,
And slowly went she nigh him.
And as she drew the curtains back,
"Young man, I think you're dying."
5. "Oh yes, I'm sick, I'm very sick,
And I never will be better,
Untwil I have the love of one,
The love of Barb'ry Ellen."
6. "Oh ken ye not in yonders town,
In the place where you were dwelling,
You gave a health to the ladies all,
But you slighted Barb'ry Ellen."
7.'"Oh yes, I ken, I ken it well,
In the place where I was dwelling,
I gave a health to the ladies all,
But my love to Barb'ry Ellen."
8. Then lightly tripped she down the stair,
He trembled like an aspen.
"'Tis vain, 'tis vain, my dear young man,
To hone for Barb'ry Ellen."
9. He turned his pale face to the wall,
For death was in him dwelling.
"Goodbye, kind friends and kinfolk all,
Be kind to Barb'ry Ellen."
10. As she did pass the wooded fields,
She heard his death bell knelling,
And every stroke hit spoke her name,
"Hardhearted Barb'ry Ellen."
11. Her eyes looked east, her eyes looked west,
She saw his pale corpse coming,
"Oh bearers, bearers, put him down,
That I may look upon him."
12. The more she looked, the more she grieved,
Until she burst out crying,
"Oh bearers, bearers, take him off,
For I am now a-dying."
13. "Oh Mother dear, go make my bed,
Go make it soft and narrow;
Sweet William died for me today,
I will die for him tomorrow.
14. "Oh Father dear, go dig my grave,
Go dig it deep and narrow;
Sweet William died for love of me,
And I will die for sorrow."
15. They buried her in the old churchyard,
Sweet William's grave was nigh her,
And from his heart grew a red, red rose,
And from her heart a briar.
16. They grew themselves to the old church wall,
Twill they couldn't grow no higher;
They grew twill they tied a true-lovers' knot,
The red rose round the briar.