Ballad of Barbara Allen

Lyrics:

It was in the merry month of may,
when all the green buds swellin'.

Sweet William, on his death bed lay -
with a love for Barb'ry Allen.

He sent his servant to the town, to the place
she's dwellin'. Come go with me to my
masters house, if yer name be Barb'ry Allen.

Slowly, slowly she did rise,
and slowly she drew nigh him.
The only words that she did say:
Young man, I think yer' dyin'.

He turns his face unto the wall.
and death was in him willin'.
Good-bye, good-bye to my friends all,
be good to Barb'ry Allen.

She walked past the old church yard,
and as the Death bell's tollin',
with each swing it seemed to say:
hard-hearted Barb'ry Allen.

Father, father dig my grave,
dig it long and narrow.
Sweet William died with a love for me,
and I shall die in sorrow.

They laid her in the old church yard,
Sweet William laid beside her,
Out of his heart grew a red, red rose,
and out of hers a briar.

It grew and grew and grew so tall,
till it could grow no higher.
It grew into a true love's knot,
and a rose grown on the briar.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Love songs
• Death ballads
• Ballad of Barbara Allen
• Barb'ry Allen
• Appalachian
• Folk Music
• Songs
• Mountain