Barbara Allen
Words & Music:
Traditional Scottish
There are a zillion chord change versions for this
song. I have given two below -
simple on top, more complex on the bottom. Other variations to the simple version are added in
parentheses, to give you a third option.
I cannot hear this tune without thinking of the Porky Pig rendition in
"Robin Hood Duck". A
classic.
D
(G) (A) (D)
D
A7 D
A7 F#m
In Scarlet town where I was
born there was a fair maid dwelling.
G
(A)
D Bm (A) D
Em D F#7 B7 E7
A7 G7 D
And every youth cried,
"Well away!", her name was Barbara Allen.
'Twas in the merry month of
May, the green buds were a swelling.
Sweet William came from a
nearby town and he courted Barbara Allen.
'Twas in the midst of jolly
June, when love was meant for telling,
Sweet William on his deathbed
lay for the love of Barbara Allen.
He sent a servant unto her to
the place she was dwelling.
"My master ails and he
sends for you if your name be Barbara Allen."
"And death is painted on
his face and o'er his heart is stealing
Then hasten away to comfort
him, ah, lovely Barbara Allen!"
So, slowly, slowly, she arose.
She went and soon came nigh him.
And all she said when she got
there was, "Young man I think you're dying."
"O yes, I'm sick an' very
sick and death is on me dwelling.
No better, no better, I never
can be if I can't have Barbara Allen."
"O, yes, youÕre sick and
very sick and death is on you dwelling.
No better, no better, you
never will be for you can't have Barbara Allen."
And she replied in painful
tone, "I hear you drank a gallon
Of what I warned would poison
you, but you laughed at Barbara Allen."
"O, don't you remember in
yonder town when you were at the tavern?
You drank a health to the
ladies all around and slighted Barbara Allen."
"And furthermore, you
gave a ball, inviting to your dwelling
A dozen girls with whom you
danced, but you slighted Barbara Allen."
"Oh, yes, he said, I know
it well, and it wasnÕt quite a gallon.
And while I gave those girls a
toast in my heart was Barbara Allen."
She lightly tripped away from
him and hopped upon her stallion
She rode away and left him
cold, heading home was Barbara Allen.
As she was riding o'er the
fields, she heard the death bell knelling.
And every stroke it seemed to
say, "Hardhearted Barbara Allen."
Then, she looked east and she
looked west and spied his corpse a'coming.
"Lay down, lay down, that
corpse of clay, that I may look upon him."
The more she looked, the more
she mourned 'til she fell to the ground a'crying.
Saying, "Take me up an'
carry me home for I am now, a-dying."
"Oh, mother dear, make me
my bed and make it long and make it narrow
Sweet William died for pure,
pure love; and I shall die for sorrow."
"Oh, father dear, go dig
my grave. Go dig it long and
narrow.
Sweet William died for me
today. I'll die for him
tomorrow."
They buried her in the old
churchyard. Sweet WilliamÕs grave
was nigh her
And from his grave grew a red,
red rose; from hers grew a briar.
They grew and grew to the
steeple top 'til they could grow no higher.
And there they twined in a
true love's knot – red rose around green briar.
Some folks today who live in
town declare they saw a stallion.
Ride through the night in the
pale moonlight
With Sweet William and Barbara
Allen.