Cat. #0688 (MFH #38) - As sung by Max Hunter, Springfield, Missouri on February 9, 1969
VERSE 1
In a scarlet town where I was born
There was a fair maid dwell'in
Made every youth cry well away
For her name was Bar-bra Allen
VERSE 2
All in th merry month of May
When green buds they were swell'in
Sweet William on his death bed lay
For th love of Bar-bra Allen
VERSE 3
He sent his servant to th town
To th place where she was dwell'in
Say-in, hasten away and come with me
If your name be Bar-bra Aleen
VERSE 4
So slowly, slowly, she rode up
So slowly she came nigh him
And all she said, when there she came
Young man I think your dy'in
VERSE 5
O, yes, I'm sick an' very sick
An' death is on me dwell'in
No better, no better, I never will be
If I can't have Bar-bra Allen
VERSE 6
Do you remember in yonder town
When I was at th tavern
I gave a toast t' th ladies all around
But my heart to Bar-bra Allen
VERSE 7
If on your death bed you do lie
What needs this tale, you're tell'in
I cannot keep you from your death
Farewell said, Bar-bra Allen
VERSE 8
As she was on her highway home
She spied his corpse a com'in
Set down, set down, this corpse of clay
That I may look up-on him
VERSE 9
Th more she looked, th more she wept
Till she fell t' th ground a - cry'in
O, pick me up and carry me home
For now I am a dy'in
VERSE 10
O Father, O Father, go dig my grave
Go dig it long and narrow
Sweet William died for me today
I'll die for him t-morrow
VERSE 11
Upon her grave there grew a red rose
On Williams grave grew a brier
They twined and they twined in a true lovers knot
An' th rose grew 'round th brier