Hi,

Anne- Thanks for posting the version.

Jim Brown- The 1855 parody is that "Barbara Allan THE CRUEL." I think an excellent point you made is:

"are not actually bequests left by the dying lover like the gold watch, tears, blood, etc., but promises of the wealth that Barbara could share in if she would accept him."

I think this is accurate, also I think "the gifts" are part of tradition and they should be part of the ur-ballad, which at some point I'll construct using parts of different versions. I'm still sifting through my US/Canada/Jamaica versions, but need more time to reach any conclusions.

Steve- thanks for the Madden version. Is this one of the first broadside (British Isles) with the rose-briar ending?

Richie