BARBARA ALLEN
As recorded by Susan Reed on "Susan Reed" (1956)

In Scarlet Town where I was born,
There was a fair maid dwellin',
Made ev'ry youth cry: "Well-a-day!"
Her name was Barb'ry Ellen.

All in the merry month of May
When the green buds they was a-swellin',
Sweet William on his death-bed lay
For the love of Barb'ry Ellen.

He sent his servant to the town
To the town where she was dwellin'.
"My master bids you come with me
If your name be Barb'ry Ellen."

So slowly, slowly she got up
And slowly she drew nigh him,
But all she said when there she came
Was: "Young man, I fear you're dyin."

"O yes, I'm sick; I'm very sick.
O yes, I'm nigh to dyin',
And all because I love you so,
Hard-hearted Barb'ry Ellen."

"O ken you not the other day
In the town where I was dwellin',
You drank a toast to the ladies round
But you slighted Barb'ry Ellen?"

"O yes, I ken; I ken it well.
In the town where you were dwellin',
I gave a toast to the ladies round
But my love to Barb'ry Ellen."

As she was walking o'er the hill
She heard the death-bell knellin',
And every note did seem to say:
"Hard-hearted Barb'ry Ellen!"

"O father, father, dig my grave.
O dig it deep and narrow.
Sweet William died for me today.
I'll die for him tomorrow."

They buried them there in the old churchyard.
In death he was beside her.
Out of his heart grew a red, red rose,
And out of hers a briar.

They grew and grew round the old church tower
Till they could grow no higher,
And at the top twined a true love's knot,
The red rose round the briar.