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?

Richie