Barby Allen- Rohrbaugh (WV) 1971 Boette.
[From Singa Hypsy Doodle, Marie Boette, 1971. Learned from her grandparents in Nicholas County. Resembles closely in parts Child Bd, Percy's version of 1765.
R. Matteson 2015]
Barby Allen - Sung by Mrs. John Rohrbaugh of Clarksburg, WV. Collected by Marie Boette.
1- Early, early in the spring
when green buds they was swelling,
Young Johnny Green on his death bed lay
for the love of Barby Allen.
2- Death is printed on his face,
and o'er his heart is stealin',
Then haste away to comfort him,
O lovely Barby Allen.
3- So slowly, slowly she came up,
and slowly she came nigh him,
And all she said when there she came,
"Young man' I think you're dying."
4- Turned his face unto the wall,
and death was with him dealin',
"Adieu, adieu kind friends all,
adieu Barby Allen."
5- As she was walking o'er the fields,
She heard the bell a-knellin'
And ev'ry stroke did seem to say,
"Unworthy Barby Allen."
6- She turned her body round about,
and spied the corpse a-comin',
"Lay down, lay down the corpse," she said,
"that I may look upon him."
7- With scornful eyes she looked down,
her cheeks with laughter swellin',
While all her friends cried out agin,
"Unworthy Barby Allen!"
8- When he was dead and in his grave,
her heart was struck with sorrow,
"Oh Mother, Mother, make my bed,
for I shall die tomorrow."
9. Hard-hearted creature him to slight,
who loved me so dearly;
Oh that I'd been more kind to him,
when he was alive and near me!"
10- She on her deathbed as she lay,
begged to be buried by him,
And sore repented of the day,
that she did e'er deny him.
11- "Farewell," she said, "ye maidens all,
and shun the fault I fell in,
Henceforth take warning by the fall
of cruel Barby Allen."
Replica Jewelry Collections come in every style—classic, boho, minimalistic, or bold. Find your perfect match and redefine your style!