The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #64509 Message #1054800
Posted By: GUEST,Roberto
16-Nov-03 - 02:14 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Barb'ry Allen (from Tom Rush)
Subject: Lyr Add: BARB'RY ELLEN (Tom Rush)
Please, somebody to check this transcription, and fill the gaps in stanzas 7 and 8. Thank you. Roberto BARB'RY ELLEN, Tom Rush, on The Prestige/Folklore Years volume one, All Kinds of Folks, Prestige/Folklore PRCD-9901-2; song originally recorded 1963, on Tom Rush, Blues, Songs, Ballads, Prestige PR 7374
In Scarlet Town where I did dwell There was a fair maid dwelling And many lads cried: Well-a-day! For love of Barb'ry Ellen
And in the merry month of May When green buds they are swelling Sweet William on his death-bed lay For love of Barb'ry Ellen
Now he sent his servant down to her And down where she was dwelling He said – You must come to my master dear If your name be Barb'ry Ellen
Well, slowly, slowly rose she up And slowly drew she nigh him And the only words to him she said: Young man, I think you're dyin'
Well, he turned his face unto the wall And death was with him dealing He said – Farewell, my comrades all Be kind to Barb'ry Ellen
Now as she walked her long way home She heard the death-bell knelling And every stroke did seem to say: Hard-hearted Barb'ry Ellen!
Now her younger sister, she came to her She said – Bonny Barb'ry, take him! O, ... time ... to tell me now (O, it's time enough to tell me now?) When his head-stone they are making
And her older sister, she came to her She said – Bonny Barb'ry, take him! O, ... time ... to tell me now When his grave clothes they are making
Now mother, mother, go make my bed And you make it soft and narrow Sweet William died for me today I'll die for him tomorrow
Sweet William was buried in the old church-yard Now Barb'ry Ellen in the choir Out of his breast there grew a rose And out of hers a briar
Well, they grew and they grew to the old church top Till they could grow no higher And there they twined in a true lover's knot For all true lovers to admire