A very different version by noted cowboy singer, Don Edwards. Compare with how Jean Ritchie handles it in main post below--as Child Ballad #84. Don Edwards' version is a good one to learn for the group--but let's also include the two verses at the end, tucked in from our S&P Songbook, which to my mind remain the heart of the song.
Barbara Allen
Don Edwards version
in D
It was in the
month of May
when all things they
were bloomin'
Sweet William came
from the western state
and courted Barbry
Allen
It was in the month
of June
when the green buds
they were fallin’
Sweet William on his
death bed lay
For the love of
Barbry Allen
Sent his servant to
the town
Where Barbara was a
dwellin'
My master is sick and
he sent for you
If your name be
Barbara Allen
Slowly slowly she got
up
Slowly she came nigh
him
And all she said when
she got there
Young man I thinks
you’re a dyin’
Yes I’m sick I’m very
sick
Death is on me
dwellin’
No better no better I
never will be
if I can’t have
Barbry Allen
Or yes you’re sick
you’re very sick
Death is on you
dwellin’
No better no better
you never will be
You can’t have Barbra
Allen
She was on her
highway home
Spied his corpse a
comin’
Lay down lay down
that corpse of clay
So that I may look
upon him
The more she looked
the more she mourned
Till she fell to the
ground a crying’
Oh take me up and
carry me home
For I I thinks
I’m dyin’
Oh father oh father
go dig my grave
Go dig it long and
narrow
Sweet William died
for me today
And I will die for
him tomorrow
She was buried in the
old church yard
He was buried nigh
her
On William’s grave
there grew a red rose
On Barbara’s grew a
green briar
They grew to the top
of the old church wall
Till they could not
grow any higher
They lapped and tied
in a true lover’s knot
The rose grew round
the briar
_______
Let's also include these
two verses:
Don't you remember the
other day
When we were at the tavern,
you toasted the ladies all around
And
slighted Barbara Allen?
O yes, I remember the other
day
When we were in the Tavern,
I toasted the ladies all around
Gave
my love to Barbara Allen.
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