Formed in the mid 1990's, Bluehorses are fronted by co-founder and lead singer Lizzy Prendergast playing electric violin, electric Celtic harp, space-mandolin and synthesizer. The band also comprises Nic Waulker, on drums - co-founder and co-songwriter, Rhayn Jooste on Bass and Jay MacDonald on guitar.
Fusing the passionate intensity of Celtic themes, a heavy rock and roll mindset and stunning improvisations, Bluehorses' music is a genuinely unique hybrid.
Bluehorses have shared stages with bands as diverse as Hawkwind, The Levellers, Tricks Upon Travellers and Oysterband. They have played festivals in nearly every country of Western Europe and Scandinavia.
Bluehorses have received many accolades including a Mojo magazine 'Album of the Month' and a 'Best Of 2005' award from The Classic Rock Society.
Barbara Allen
Bluehorses Lyrics
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There was a fair maid dwelling
In scarlet town, the boys all cry
Blackheart Barbara Allen
In Scarlet town, Scarlet town
Young Jimmy Grove lay dyin'
In Scarlet Town the boys all die
For the love of Barbara Allen
He sent his man to find her
In the town where she was dwellin'
Haste away to comfort him
Oh lovely Barbara Allen
Slowly slowly she came up
So slowly came beside him
And all she said when she got there
"Young man - I think you're dying"
In Scarlet Town, Scarlet Town
There was a fair maid dwelling
In scarlet town, the boys all cry
Blackheart Barbara Allen
In Scarlet town, Scarlet town
Young Jimmy Grove lay dyin'
In Scarlet Town the boys all die
For the love of Barbara Allen
He turned his face to where she stood
With deadly sorrow sighin'
Lovely maid come pity me
I'm on me death bed lyin'
As she was walking o'r the hill
She saw the corpse a coming
With scornful eyes she looked on him
Her cheeks with laughter swelling
Now he is dead and in his grave
Her heart is filled with sorrow
Oh mother, mother, make my bed
For I shall die tomorrow
Farewell she said, you virgins all
And shun the fault I fell in
And here take warning of the fall
Of cruel Barbara Allen
In Scarlet Town, Scarlet Town
There was a fair maid dwelling
In scarlet town, the boys all cry
Blackheart Barbara Allen
In Scarlet town, Scarlet town
Young Jimmy Grove lay dyin'
In Scarlet Town the boys all die
For the love of Barbara Allen
The song "Barbara Allen," as performed by Bluehorses, is a traditional ballad that tells the tragic love story of two young people in Scarlet Town. The singer tells the story of young Jimmy Grove, who is dying for the love of Barbara Allen. He sends his servant to fetch Barbara in the hopes that she will come and comfort him in his final moments. Barbara arrives slowly but finally reaches his bedside, where she tells him that she believes he is dying. He asks her to pity him, but she looks on him scornfully and laughs at his fate. After Jimmy dies, Barbara is filled with regret and asks for her mother to make her bed, as she believes she will die tomorrow. She warns other young women to shun the same fate as hers and take heed of the tragedy of cruel Barbara Allen.
This ballad explores themes of love, loss, regret, and redemption. It speaks to the complexities of human emotions and the consequences of our actions. The singer portrays Barbara as both cruel and regretful, a character with flaws and weaknesses but also capable of recognizing her mistakes.
Line by Line Meaning
In Scarlet Town, Scarlet Town
In a town of sin and shame, Scarlet Town
There was a fair maid dwelling
There lived a beautiful young woman
In scarlet town, the boys all cry
In this town of vice, the men cry out
Blackheart Barbara Allen
Naming this woman after her cold, harsh heart - Barbara Allen
Young Jimmy Grove lay dyin'
A young man, Jimmy Grove, lay on his deathbed
In Scarlet Town the boys all die
In this town, men meet their end
For the love of Barbara Allen
All because of the love Barbara didn't feel
He sent his man to find her
He sent someone to look for her
In the town where she was dwellin'
In the town where she lived
Haste away to comfort him
Hurry and come to comfort him
Oh lovely Barbara Allen
Despite her coldness, she was called 'lovely' Barbara Allen
Slowly slowly she came up
She took her time coming to him
So slowly came beside him
Finally, she arrived next to him
And all she said when she got there
All she offered when she reached him
"Young man - I think you're dying"
"Young man, I believe you are dying"
He turned his face to where she stood
He faced her from where he lay
With deadly sorrow sighin'
He sighed with great sadness
Lovely maid come pity me
He asked for her pity
I'm on me death bed lyin'
He lay on his deathbed
As she was walking o'r the hill
While she walked over a hill
She saw the corpse a coming
She spotted the funeral procession
With scornful eyes she looked on him
She glared at him with contemptuous eyes
Her cheeks with laughter swelling
She laughed at him, swelling with joy
Now he is dead and in his grave
Now he's dead and buried
Her heart is filled with sorrow
But her heart is full of grief
Oh mother, mother, make my bed
She requested her mother to prepare her death bed
For I shall die tomorrow
For she knew she would die soon
Farewell she said, you virgins all
She said goodbye to her fellow virgins
And shun the fault I fell in
And warned them not to fall into the same mistake she did
And here take warning of the fall
She shared her cautionary tale
Of cruel Barbara Allen
Of the cold-hearted woman named Barbara Allen
Contributed by Lucas J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.