In Scarlet town where I was born,
There was a fair maid dwellin'
Made every youth cry Well-a-day,
Her name was Barbara Allen.
All in the merry month of May,
When green buds they were swellin'
Sweet William on his death-bed lay,
For love of Barbara Allen.
He sent his man into her the town
To the place where he was dwellin'
You must come to my master, dear,
If your name be Barbara Allen.
So slowly, slowly got she up,
And slowly she came nigh him,
And all she said when there she came:
"Young man, I think you're dying!"
"O yes I'm sick and very sick,
I never shall be better,
Until I have the love of one,
Your love, sweet Barbara Allen."
"Don't you remember in yonders town
You were in the tavern drinking,
You gave a toast to the ladies all
But slighted Barbara Allen."
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"Yes I remember in yonders town
And in the tavern drinking,
I gave a toast to the ladies all
But my love to Barbara Allen."
He turned his face unto the wall
And death came creeping toward him.
"Adieu, adieu, my dear friends all,
And be kind to Barbara Allen"
As she was walking o'er the green,
She heard the death bell knellin',
And ev'ry stroke did seem to say,
"Hard hearted Barbara Allen".
"O Mother, Mother dig my grave,
And make it long and narrow.
Sweet William died for me today
I'll die for him tomorrow."
They buried her in the old churchyard
And William in the Choir,
Out of his heart grew a red red rose
And out of hers a briar.
They grew and grew up the old church wall
Til they could grow no higher
And there they twined in a true-lover's knot
And the rose grew round the briar.
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