The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #157044 Message #3705590
Posted By: Richie
30-Apr-15 - 08:22 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Barbara Allen
Subject: RE: Origins: Barbara Allen
Hi Steve,
Conjecture is right, since we don't have a time machine!!! The question is what can be eliminated and what can be kept in order to produce an approximation of the UR-ballad? There's quite a bit to sift through to obtain a few kernels of truth.
I know of the 1855 parody, Barbara Allen, the Cruel. Are there others? When Barbara laughs upon viewing his corpse- this seems to be the main difference between tradition and parody in Barbara Allen the Cruel. Do you agree?