The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #19122 Message #1100819
Posted By: Stewie
25-Jan-04 - 04:33 AM
Thread Name: Origins: Barbara Allen (different versions)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Barbara Allen' different versions
According to Meade et alia, the Yazoo recording transcribed by Roberto was recorded on 24 January 1930 and issued by Melotone in March 1932 and by Vocalion in August 1934 - and subsequently by a number of other labels. He also recorded a version in 1929 for Brunswick that was unissued. There is no discographical information with the Old Homestead CD so the version therein must be the only other recording that he made of the song - in Chicago in February 1928. This has many stanzas identical to the 1930 version posted above by Roberto, but there are significant differences. It will be easier to post the whole thing rather than indicate the departures from Roberto's text.
BARBARA ALLEN
In Scarlet town where I was born There was a fair maid dwellin' Made every youth cry well away And her name was Barb'ry Allen
All in the merry month of June When the green buds they were fallin' Sweet William on his death-bed lay For the love of Barb'ry Allen
He sent his servant to the town Where Barb'ry was a-dwellin' My master is sick and sent for you If your name be Barb'ry Allen
And death is painted o'er his face And o'er his heart is stealin' Then hasten away to comfort him Oh lovely Barb'ry Allen
So slowly, slowly she got up And slowly she came nigh him And all she said when she got there: Young man, I think you're dying
O yes, I'm sick, and very sick And death is on me dwellin' No better, no better I never will be If I can't have Barb'ry Allen
O yes, you're sick, and very sick And death is on you dwellin' No better, no better you never will be For you can't have Barb'ry Allen
Don't you remember in yonder town When we were at the tavern You gave a health to the ladies all 'round And slighted Barb'ry Allen
O yes, I remember in yonder town In yonder town a-drinkin' I gave a health to the ladies all 'round But my heart to Barb'ry Allen
As she was on her high way home The birds they kept a-singin' And every note did seem to say Hard-hearted Barb'ry Allen
She looked to the east and she looked to the west 'til she spied his corpse a-comin' 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-cryin' Sayin', Take me up and carry me home For I am now a-dyin'
Oh mother, oh mother go make my bed Go make it long and narrow Sweet William died for pure, pure love And I shall die for sorrow
Oh father, oh father, go dig my grave Go dig it long and narrow Sweet William died for me today I'll die for him tomorrow
She was buried in the old church-yard And he was buried nigh her On William's grave there grew a red rose On Barb'ry's grew a green briar
They grew to the top of the old church wall 'til they could not climb any higher They lapped and they tied in a true lover's knot And the rose grew around the briar
Source: transcription of Bradley Kincaid 'Barbara Allen' recorded in Chicago on 27 February 1928 and issued as Silvertone 5186, 8217 and Supertone 9211. Reissued on Bradley Kincaid 'Old-Time Songs and Hymns' Old Homestead OHCD-4014.