Barbara Allen

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

'Twas in the merry month of May
The rosebuds they were swellin'
Young William on his deathbed lay
For the love of Barbara Allen

He sent his servants unto her
In the place that she was dwellin'
My master begs that you come to him
If your name be Barbara Allen

Then slowly, slowly she got up
And slowly went she nigh him
And when she pulled the curtain back
Said, Young man, I think you're a-dyin'

Oh yes, I'm sick, I'm very sick
And I never shall get better
Lest I can have thy own true love
My darling Barbara Allen

Do you recall in yonder town
In the tavern you were a-dwellin'
You drank a toast to the ladies all
But you slighted Barbara Allen?

Oh yes, I can remember well
In the tavern I was dwellin'
I gave a toast to the ladies all
But my love to Barbara Allen

As she was walking back to town
She saw his pale corpse comin'
Cried, Bearers, bearers, set him down
That I might look upon him

Oh, Father, Father, dig my grave
Dig it deep and narrow
Young William died for me today
I'll die for him tomorrow

They buried him in the old churchyard
Barbara there beside him
And from his grave there grew a rose
And from Barbara's grew a briar

They grew and they grew to the old church top
Till they could grow no higher
And there they tied in a true lovers' knot
The red rose and the briar
The red rose 'round the briar