Barbra Allen

Cat. #0835 (MFH #38) - As sung by Melvin Winkle, Mountain View, Arkansas on August 26, 1969

VERSE 1
In London city where I once did dwell
That's where I got my learn'in
I fell in love with a pretty young girl
An' 'er name was Barbra Allen

VERSE 2
I courted her fer seven long years
She said, she would not have me
Straight away home as I could go
An' I liken'd unto dy'in

VERSE 3
Go send by servant to th town
Where Barbra was a dwell'in
My master's sick, he sent for you
If your name be Barbra Allen

VERSE 3
An' when she went by his dying bed
She saw his pale n' his quiver'in
Heard no better I'll ever be
If I cain't get Barbra Allen

VERSE 5
O, don't you remember a long time ago
Way down in yonders tavern
I drank a toast to th ladies all
An' you slighted Barbra Allen

VERSE 6
Yes, I remember a long time ago
Way down in yonders tavern
You drank a toast to th ladies all
An' my love went for Barbra Allen

VERSE 7
An' when she went down th winding road
She heard th wee birds sing'n
Every bird it seemed t' say
Hard-hearted Barbra Allen

VERSE 8
O Papa, O Papa, go dig my grave
An' dig it deep an' narrow
Little Jimmy Crews has died for love
An' I will die with sorrow

VERSE 9
They buried Jim in th ole church yard
They buried Miss Barbra beside him
An' from his grave there grew a red rose
An' from her grave a brier

VERSE 10
They grew to th top of the ole church tower
They could not grow any higher
They both then tied in a true loves knot
Red rose around th brier

Variants