Barbra Allen

Cat. #1176 (MFH #38) - As sung by O.B. Campbell, Vinita, Oklahoma on August 9, 1971

VERSE 1
Dark an' gloomy was th town
Where three maidens made their dwelling
There was but one, I called my own
An' her name was Barbra Allen

VERSE 2
I sent my servant to her home
I sent him to her dwelling
My Master's sick and sends for you
If your name be Barbra Allen

VERSE 3
Slowly, slowly she got up
An' slowly went unto him
An' slowly passed th curtains by
Young man, I think you're dying

VERSE 4
O yes, O yes, I'm very sick
An' death is near my dwelling
I never shall see my time again
Hard hearted, Barbra Allen

VERSE 5
He turned his face unto th wall
And bursted out, in tears
I never shall see my time again
O cruel, O Barbra Allen

VERSE 6
T'was in th merry month of May
Th birds were sweetly singing
Sweet William on his death bed lay
For th love of Barbra Allen

VERSE 7
She scarce had got one mile from town
Till she heard th bells a turning
An' every sound they seemed to say
O cruel, Barbra Allen

VERSE 8
She turned to east, she turned to west
She saw th corpse a coming
Lay down, lay down, this lifeless clay
An' let me gaze upon him

VERSE 9
O Mother, Mother make my bed
O, make it long a narra
Sweet William died for me today
N' I'll die for him tomorra

VERSE 10
Sweet William died, on Saturday
An' Barbra died on Sunday
Sweet William was buried on th Sabbath day
An' Barbra was buried on Monday

VERSE 11
Sweet William was buried in one churchyard
An' Barbra was buried in another
She killed herself, for Williams grief
An' it caused th death of her Mother

Variants