Barbara Allen --- Child Ballad 84
[E]In
Scarlet Town where I was born,
There was a [B7]fair
maid dwelling,
Made [E]many
a youth cry well a day,
Her name was [B7]Barbara
[E]Allen.
It was in the merry month of May
When green buds [B7]they
were swelling;
Sweet [E]William
came from the west country
And he courted [B7]Barbara
[E]Allen.
He sent his servant unto her
To the place where [B7]she
was dwelling;
Said my master's [E]sick,
bids me call for you
If your name be [B7]Barbara
[E]Allen.
Well, slowly, slowly got she up
And slowly [B7]went
she nigh him;
But all she [E]said
as she passed his bed
Young man I [B7]think
you're [E]dying.
Then lightly tripped she down the stairs
She heard those [B7]church
bells knelling;
And each bell [E]seemed
to say as it tolled
Hard-hearted [B7]Barbara
[E]Allen.
O, mother, O mother go make my bed
And make it [B7]long
and narrow;
Sweet William [E]died
for me today
I'll die for [B7]him
to-[E]morrow.
They buried her in the old church yard
Sweet William’s [B7]grave
beside hers;
Out of his [E]grave
grew a red, red rose
And out of [B7]hers
a [E]briar.
They grew and grew up the old church wall
Till they could [B7]grow
no higher;
And at the [E]top
formed a lovers' knot
The red rose [B7]and
the [E]briar.