Identifying characteristics of the early British Isles versions:

Child Ba- The 1690 English broadside Barbara Allen's Cruelty:

1. In Scarlet Town
   There was a fair maid dwelling,
   Whom I had chosen to be my own,

2. All in the merry Month of May
    when green leaves they was springing,

(her lover is not named)

Child B d Percy's "Barbara Allen's Cruelty- (English) 1765:

1. In Scarlet towne, where I was borne,
There was a faire maid dwellin,
Made every youth crye, wel-awaye!

2. All in the merrye month of may,
When greene buds they were swellin,
Yong Jemmye Grove on his death-bed lay,

(Jemmy Grove is lover)

16. Farewell, she sayd, ye virgins all,
And shun the fault I fell in:
Henceforth take warning by the fall
Of cruel Barbara Allen.


Child Ba: Scotch version- Bonny Barbara Allan (Ramsay 1740):

1. It was in and about the Martinmas time (Nov. 11),   
When the green leaves were a falling,
That Sir John Grœme (Graham) in the west country         

Child C: toucher or gifts to Barbara Allen- present in Irish versions, some US versions and Buchan

Richie