Hi all,

TY Jim Brown for some excellent posts and also Steve and Jim Carroll.

Jim Carroll and Steve- The Buchan versions at times remind me of John Jacob Niles versions which Niles admitted (see Wilgus) that he "changed" some traditional material. I remember it was Malcolm Douglass who commented here (someone may need to find the actual quote) that he felt some of Niles versions would be vindicated after a period of time (I assume after looking at Niles' notebooks). Personally I think Niles was a ballad re-creator and it's clear on some of his versions and in others we just don't know. Because we just don't know I feel compelled to include all his work with the following provision, caveat emptor (let the buyer beware).

It's clear that Child did not think Buchan's version, posted above, was traditional or else he would have included it. But Child did include a number of Buchan's versions as his A version and some ballads of his 305 are represented solely by versions from Buchan.

It seems highly unlikely that Buchan's 41 stanzas are all from tradition, and, not knowing, I would include his version and I think Child should have, perhaps pointing out that parts of it may be recreated or that many stanzas are not found in tradition or other sources.

I realize that the folk process itself is a form of ballad recreation and feel that Barbara Allen has evolved from perhaps a simple tragic ballad (which is what I believe the ur-ballad was) to a more complex ballad which has: 1) a motive (the accusation stanza) for Barbara's refusal to help Jimmy/William/Sir John was provided (first in Child A) which is also called the tavern/alehouse stanza. Then another stanza was added where Jimmy/William/Sir John defends the accusation saying, "But gave my love to Barbara Allen." 2) two endings; both have been added, the "rose-briar" probably from child 74 and the "warning" ending from Percy (Child Bd) 3) the "Mother make my bed" and the "Father dig my grave" stanzas; both provide a role for her parents; 4) Barbara laughing at his corpse (probably added in print- rarely found in tradition); 5) The Scotch version Child A (Ramsay) with the Martinmas opening (rarely found in tradition) and 6) the blood letting, tears and the gifts stanzas; whcih may have been added but are traditional in nature and are found consistently in certain areas (possibly originating in Ireland, certainly found there).

As pointed out by others, it's perhaps pointless to try and provide the unknown ur-ballad since it would be conjecture on my part. I believe the early traditional versions were similar to,

1. Away low down in London town,
In which three maids were dwelling.
There was but one I call my own,
And that was Barbery Allen.

2. I courted her for seven long years
She said she would not have me,
Poor Willie went home and took sick
And there he lay a-dying."

and this represents one of the earlier traditional versions. Because there are several opening stanzas I also believe that other opening stanzas, those that use "the month of May" also those which begin "early, early in the Spring," are more closely associated with tradition instead of print.

I have put most of the traditional and early print version on my site and have reviewed them. Other added traditional stanzas include "the birds" stanza which balances the "bells" stanza and the "I could have saved him" stanza (If I'd only done my duty) which also begins Cursed, cursed be my name/cursed be my nature and rhymes with "endeavor." (Does any have a version of this stanza that isn't corrupt?)

I want to thank everyone for contributing and would appreciate any conclusions that may be brought forward. The study of this ballad certainly could become a lengthy book.

Richie