Lyr Req: Barbara Allen

Subject: Barbara Allen
From:
Date: 27 Apr 00 - 12:43 PM

The play, Dark of the Moon, has a different version of Barbara Allen than any that I've seen posted on the websites that I've been looking at. The first verse is

A witch boy from the mountains came A-pining to be human For he had seen the fairest maid A gal named Barbara Allen

I'm wondering if there are more verses that those given in the play, since the verses don't tell the whole story.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Barbara Allen
From: Hollowfox
Date: 27 Apr 00 - 01:42 PM

Dark of the Moon's version of Barbara Allen is all its own, and I think that Howard Richardson and William Berney used Appalachian folktales and the name Barbara Allen as their inspiration/jumping-off point for the play. It's been a long time since I've seen the play; the bizarre production was saved by an actor who really got into his role as the preacher.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Barbara Allen
From: Amos
Date: 27 Apr 00 - 02:10 PM

There is a long thread in archives covering many variants on Barbry Allen -- this one is mentioned there. Try setting the filter for -- oh say 1 year -- for "Barb"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Barbara Allen
From: Amos
Date: 27 Apr 00 - 02:33 PM

One past thread is here:

Lyr Req: 'BARBARA ALLEN' DIFFERENT VERSIONS

and another, here:

Lyr Req: Barbara Allen

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Barbara Allen
From: Amos
Date: 27 Apr 00 - 02:37 PM

No, no, no...the second one is not THIS thread, it is called "Why Did Bar'bry Ellen Refuse" and can be located over here.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Barbara Allen
From: GUEST,stotko
Date: 27 Apr 00 - 02:47 PM

I checked those out and there is one reference to the play Dark of the Moon. Didn't see anything else related to that version. If it was just made up for the play and that's all there is, that's okay. Thanks!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Barbara Allen
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 28 Apr 00 - 06:07 AM

For another variant see Art Thieme's "Cowboy Barbara Allen".
RtS