Barbary Allen
From the singing of Carrie Milliner and the Bobbin
Family.
Barbary Allen
(Traditional)
Arranged by Chloe and Jason Roweth.
A traditional ballad, sung by Granny Bobbin and well known among the family.
This very old story with its underlying mysteries has been collected throughout the English speaking world.
Note: Song recorded in Ab, but transcribed in G major.
"In England I was living,
In London I was dwelling,
I fell in love with a lady there,
By the name of Barbary Allen.
I courted her for six long years,
In the hope that I might wed her,
Until one day I fell so ill,
I sent for Barbary Allen."
So slowly, slowly she walked in,
And slowly she came nigh him,
And all she said when she got there,
"I think young man, you're dying."
"A Dying man, I am not yet,
One kiss from you might cure me",
"A kiss from me will never be,
Not if your heart is breaking."
"Do you recall, young man", she said,
"Whilst in the garden walking,
You picked a rose for the ladies there,
But none for Barbary Allen.
Do you recall, young man", she said,
"Whilst in the ballroom dancing,
You danced with all the pretty girls,
But you slighted Barbary Allen""Look up, look up at the head of my bed,
You'll see a basin standing,
It's overflown with the tears I've shed,
For the love of Barbary Allen
Look down, look down at the foot of my bed,
You'll see a waistcoat hanging,
Containing a gold watch and chain,
Give them to Barbary Allen"
"O dig my grave, and dig it deep,
And dig it long and narrow,
For a young man died for me last night,
And I'll die for him tomorrow.
At the head of his grave plant a pretty primrose,
At the foot of mine a briar."
They grew, they grew to the churchyard top,
'Til they could grow no higher.
They twisted and twined in a true lovers knot,
For the love of Barbary Allen,
They twisted and twined in a true lovers knot,
For the love of Barbary Allen.