In 1946, McCurdy began singing folksongs over the Canadian Broad casting Corporation radio system. In 1952, he began writing and performing for children's program's in radio and television, continuing to utilize folkmusic at every opportunity. Since late 1954, he has been living in New York City, and has appeared frequently in Televisions broadcasts for both adults and children originating from that city.
McCurdy is accompanied on second guitar, and banjo, by ERIK DARLING, an Upstate New Yorker who has been working out of New York City in recent years. Mr. Darling has made numerous recordings as a banjoist and singer, both as a solo performer and as an accompanist. He has performed extensively in concerts, and on television and radio, including several years on Oscar Brand's "Folksong Festival" over station WNYC. His most recent musical adventure has been performing as all integral part of an exciting new folksong trio, "The Tarriers", in whose success his instrumental and vocal talents have played an important role.
McCurdy died March 23, 2000
Barbara Allen
Ed McCurdy Lyrics
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The green buds they were a swelling
Sweet William on his deathbed lay
For the love of Barbara Allen
He sent his servant to her door
To the place where she was dwelling
Oh miss, oh miss come quickly now
Slowly, slowly she got up,
And slowly she came nigh him,
She drew the curtain to one side
She said “Young man, you’re a dyin’.”
Yes, I am sick and very sick,
And griefs is in me dwelling
No better, no better I'll ever be
if I don't get Barbara Allen
Do you remember the other night
When you were at the Tavern
You drank a health to the ladies all
But slighted Barbara Allen.
Yes, I remember the other night
When I was at the tavern
I gave a health to the ladies all
And my heart to Barbara Allen
He turned his face toward the wall,
For death was in him dwellin’:
“Goodbye, Goodbye, my dear friends all,
Be kind to Barbara Allen!”
As she was walking towards her home,
She heard the death bell knellin’;
And every stroke it seemed to say
"Cold hearted Barbara Allen.”
“Oh mother, mother, make my bed,
Make it long and narrow:
Sweet William died for me today,
I’ll die for him tomorrow.”
The lyrics of Ed McCurdy's song Barbara Allen tell the tragic story of Sweet William, who is on his deathbed due to his love for Barbara Allen. The song describes how William sends his servant to Barbara's home to ask her to come and visit him before he dies. Barbara Allen reluctantly agrees to see him and upon arriving, William reveals that he is sick and dying but could potentially be cured if Barbara Allen would accept his love. In response, Barbara Allen reminds William of the time he gave a toast to all the ladies but did not mention her, which caused her to have a broken heart. William apologizes for his mistake and ultimately passes away.
The lyrics of Barbara Allen draw attention to the delicate nature of love and the consequences that can arise from unrequited love. William's illness is a direct result of his love for Barbara Allen, but her heart remains cold towards him even in his final moments. Furthermore, the song's somber tone highlights the pain associated with lost love and the impact it can have on one's emotional state.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, in the merry month of May
At a certain point in the month of May sometime in the past
The green buds they were a swelling
The plant growth was in progress
Sweet William on his deathbed lay
A man named Sweet William was in his bed, critically ill and likely to die
For the love of Barbara Allen
He was in that state because of the love he had for Barbara Allen
He sent his servant to her door
He dispatched his servant to Barbara Allen's residence
To the place where she was dwelling
To the precise location where she was staying
Oh miss, oh miss come quickly now
He ordered her to make her way to him urgently
If your name be Barbara Allen
If her name was Barbara Allen
Slowly, slowly she got up,
She got up slowly
And slowly she came nigh him,
She drew herself nearer to him slowly
She drew the curtain to one side
She opened the curtain with her hand
She said “Young man, you’re a dyin’.”
She stated the obvious that he was dying
Yes, I am sick and very sick,
He acknowledged that he was sick
And griefs is in me dwelling
He was stricken with sadness
No better, no better I'll ever be
He accepted that he would never be better
if I don't get Barbara Allen
If he didn't get Barbara Allen
Do you remember the other night
Do you recall the night before
When you were at the Tavern
when you were drinking at the Tavern
You drank a health to the ladies all
You wished all the ladies good health
But slighted Barbara Allen.
You neglected Barbara Allen
Yes, I remember the other night
He remembered the night before
When I was at the tavern
When he was at the tavern
I gave a health to the ladies all
He wished all the ladies good health
And my heart to Barbara Allen
And his heart to Barbara Allen
He turned his face toward the wall,
He turned his face to face the wall
For death was in him dwellin’:
He was nearing death
Goodbye, Goodbye, my dear friends all,
He bid farewell to all his dear friends
Be kind to Barbara Allen!
He urged them to be kind to Barbara Allen
As she was walking towards her home,
As she walked towards her place of residence
She heard the death bell knellin’;
She heard the sound of the bell announcing a death
And every stroke it seemed to say
And at every stroke, it seemed to convey
'Cold hearted Barbara Allen.'
'Barbara Allen, who doesn't have a caring heart.'
“Oh mother, mother, make my bed,
She called on her mother to make her bed
Make it long and narrow:
To make it long and narrow
Sweet William died for me today,
She announced that Sweet William died for her that day
I’ll die for him tomorrow.”
She confided that tomorrow she will die for him
Contributed by Tyler O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.