Barbara Allen

Canadian folk singer Jesse Ferguson performs traditional Scottish/English ballad "Barbara Allen" on mandolin. The ballad is #84 in Francis Child's collection, and #54 in Roud's. Chords and lyrics below. Support this channel on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JesseFergusonMusic Jesse on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/jesse-ferguson/309436997 Jesse on YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCMzLFahwOsdv3v3tKPd_wYA Jesse on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5heCdUhXKjzSB4IepcHbJe Jesse on Amazon Music: https://www.amazon.com/Shanties-Whaling-Ballads-Jesse-Ferguson/dp/B09BCCMSGV/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=%22sea+shanties%22+ferguson&qid=1628462445&s=music&sr=1-1 Jesse's Website: http://www.jessefergusonmusic.com Jesse's Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bardofcornwall Barbara Allen (traditional, arrang. J. Ferguson, 2020) V1. D In Scarlet town where I was born, G D there was a fair maid dwellin' G D Bm made every youth cry, “well-a-day.” D A G A D Her name was Barbara Allen. V2. 'Twas in the merry month of May when green buds they were swelling, sweet William on his deathbed lay for love of Barbara Allen. V3. He sent his servant to her house, the place where she was dwellin' saying master bids you come to him if your name be Barbara Allen. V4. So slowly, slowly she got up, and slowly she drew nigh him. She drew the curtain from his bed: “Young man I think you're dying.” V5. “Oh yes, I'm sick, so very sick, and death is in me dwellin'. No better will I ever be with no love from Barbara Allen.” V6. “Do you recall the other night when we were at the tavern? You gave a health to the ladies all, but you slighted Barbara Allen.” V7. “Yes I recall the other night when we were at the tavern. I gave a health to the ladies all, but my heart was Barbara Allen's.” V8. He turned his pale face to the wall for death was in him dwellin'. “Farewell, farewell, my dear friends all. Be kind to Barbara Allen.” V9. As she was walking to her house, she heard his death bell knellin', and every stroke it seemed to say: “Hard-hearted Barbara Allen.” V10. “Oh mother, mother make my bed, and make it long and narrow. Sweet William died for me this day, and I'll die for him tomorrow.” V11. From William's grave, there grew a rose; from Barbara's grew a briar. They grew and grew to the steeple top, 'till they could grow no higher. V12. They grew and grew to the steeple top 'til they could grow no higher, and there they tied in a lover's knot, the red rose and the briar.