The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #157044 Message #3704947
Posted By: MGM·Lion
28-Apr-15 - 04:22 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Barbara Allen
Subject: RE: Origins: Barbara Allen
Tom Lenihan's fine tune is, to my ear, closely related to the familiar "In Scarlet Town where I was born" one; and the text also [which, note, lacks 'rose-briar']: with addition of the three-line refrain, in form — last line, followed by two last lines, repeated. Interesting how it characteristically begins as a first-person narrative, the narrator himself occupying the "Young·Jemmy·Grove/Sir·John·Graeme/Sweet·William" role; but segues into third-person after his death. Beautiful, and fascinating, version indeed.