The Cruelty of Barbry Allen - Meg Baird

It was in the Merry month of May

When green buds all were swelling

Sweet William on his death bed lay

For the love of Barbara Allen

He sent his servant to the town

To the place where she was dwelling

The master sayin again he sends for you

If your name be Barb'ry Allen

So slowly slowly she got up

And slowly she came nigh him

And all she said when she got there

Young man I believe you're dying

Oh yes I'm old I'm very old

And death is on me dwelling

Life to no better than I never be

If I can have Barb'ry Allen

Oh yes you're alone you're very alone

And death is on you dwelling

No better no better you will never be

For you can't get Barbry Allen

Oh don't you rememberin yonders town

In yonders town a drinking

You passed your glass all around and around

But not to Barb'ry Allen

Oh yes I remember in yonders town

In yonders town a drinking

I drank my health to the ladies all around

And slighted Barbr'y Allen

He turned his pale face to the wall

And death was on him dwelling

I do I do you go neighbors all

I do sweet Barbr'y Allen

As she was glim across the fields

The glance of bells were knelling

And every tone the death bell ring

Hard hearted Barbr'y Ellen

O mother o mother make my bed

Go make it both long an' narrow

Sweet Willie died for me today

And I'll die for him tomorrow

O he was buried in the old churchyard

And she was buried anigh him

And out of this pearl grew a red red rose

A out of pearl's a brier

O they grew and they grew up the old church tower

'Til they could grow no higher

They let them tied in a true loves knot

Red rose wrapped around the brier