Lyr Req: Barbara Allen (from Phil Tanner)

Subject: RE: Barbara Allen (Phil Tanner version)
From: Mick Tems
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 09:07 AM

I mean, has anyone LISTENED to the words? Jimmy Grove is pining for Barbara Allen, so he gets on his death-bed and, dying, begs her if she will grant him just one kiss. The virgin Barbara declines his wish with so many words, the gist of which is: "Drop dead," seems surprised when he does and promptly expires.

I quote from the Veteran booklet, The Gower Nightingale (VT145CD): "Two centuries on again, the American scholar, B. H. Bronson, wrote: "This little song of a spineless lover who gives up the ghost without a struggle, and his spirited beloved who repents too late, has paradoxically shown a stronger will to live than perhaps any other ballad in the canon. It is still universally known."

Subject: RE: Barbara Allen (Phil Tanner version)
From: Mick Tems
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 08:02 AM

Thanks, Roberto! You really are too kind - and it has saved me the laborious task of typing the words out on one finger, too!

Subject: Lyr Add: BARBARA ALLEN (from Phil Tanner)
From: Roberto
Date: 02 Jan 05 - 08:33 AM

From Veteran CD's booklet:

Barbara Allen
Phil Tanner, The Gower Nightingale, Veteran Tapes VT145CD; ballad recorded in 1949

In Scarlet Town where I was born
There was a fair maid dwelling
Made every youth say - Well-a-day
Her name was Barbara Allen

All in the blooming month of May
When green buds they were swelling
Young Jimmy Grove on his death bed lay
For love of Barbara Allen

He sent his man down through the town
To the place where she was dwelling -
You must come to my master dear
If you be Barbara Allen

So slowly, slowly she came up
So slowly she came nigh him
And all she said when there she came:
Young man I think you're dying

A dying man, no, no - said he
One kiss from thee would cure me
One kiss from me thou never shalt have
If thy poor heart was breaking

He turned his face against the wall
As pangs of death he fell in -
Adieu, adieu, adieu to all
Adieu to Barbara Allen

When he was dead and laid in his grave
Her heart was struck with sorrow -
Oh mother, mother make my bed
I shall die tomorrow

She on her death bed as she lay
Begged to be buried by him
And so repented of that day
That she did e'er deny him

Farewell - she cried - You virgins all
And shun the fault I fell in
Hence forth take warning by the fate
Of cruel Barbara Allen

Subject: Barbara Allen (Phil Tanner version)
From: Mick Tems
Date: 02 Jan 05 - 08:09 AM

I have Phil Tanner's version of Barbara Allen (The Gower Nightingale, Veteran VT145CD) - the most exquisite and comprehensive CD version ever! I had a hand in this CD, and John Howson deserves plaudits for publishing the CD.
In case you don't know Phil: He was born in Llangennith, Gower, in 1862 and died in 1950. He was a tenor who soaked up songs like a sponge - in the King's Head, Renoldston, Phil started singing and didn't stop to closing time, a total of 88 songs in all. He knew the Celtic "mouth music" and sang The Gower Reel for villagers.
I must look up the words of Barbara Allen, but I'm spending Christmas at Olly's (AND it's my birthday session at the Boar's Head in Tyle Garw, just across the level crossing, 8pm, Monday) so I'll have the words on Monday.