The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #157044 Message #3705323
Posted By: Richie
29-Apr-15 - 07:45 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Barbara Allen
Subject: RE: Origins: Barbara Allen
TY Lighter and all,
The last stanza compares somewhat to Percy's last stanza, and maybe the word 'feud' could be misprinted 'fau't' for 'fault'.
16. Farewell, she sayd, ye virgins all, And shun the fault I fell in: Henceforth take warning by the fall Of cruel Barbara Allen.
I'm going to present some observations soon based on the questions I asked. I assume the pun is for "Reading"="Redding," implying the color red which is Scarlet. Didn't Chappell comment on that in detail? Several broadsides begin:
Verse 1
In Reading town, where I was born, A fair maid there was dwelling, I picked her out to be my wife, And her name was Barbara Allen.