Barbara Allen
Merle Travis Lyrics

In scarlet Town where I was born
I was born in a town called Scarlet.

There was a fair maid dwelling
There was a beautiful girl living in that town.

Made many a youth cry well a day
Many young men were heartbroken because of her.

Her name was Barbara Allen
The girl's name was Barbara Allen.

It was in the merry month of May
The events in the song took place in May.

When green buds they were swelling
It was during the time when plants were starting to grow.

Sweet William came from the west country
A man named Sweet William came from the west to visit.

And he courted Barbara Allen
Sweet William started to woo Barbara Allen.

He sent his servant unto her
Sweet William sent his servant to Barbara Allen's house.

To the place where she was dwelling
The servant went to where Barbara Allen was living.

Said my master's sick, bids me call for you
The servant told Barbara that Sweet William was sick and asked her to come.

If your name be Barbara Allen
The servant asked Barbara Allen to come only if she was Barbara Allen.

Well, slowly, slowly got she up
Barbara Allen got up slowly.

And slowly went she nigh him
She slowly went to where Sweet William was.

But all she said as she passed his bed
As she walked past Sweet William's bed, all she said was...

Young man I think you're dying
...'I think you're dying, young man.'

Then lightly tripped she down the stairs
Barbara Allen walked down the stairs with a light step.

She heard those church bells tolling
She heard the church bells ringing.

And each bell seemed to say as it tolled
As the bells rang, each one seemed to say...

Hard hearted Barbara Allen
...'Barbara Allen, you have a hard heart.'

O, mother, mother go make my bed
Barbara Allen told her mother...

And make it long and narrow
...to make her bed long and narrow.

Sweet William died for me today
Barbara Allen said that Sweet William died for her that day.

I'll die for him tomorrow
She said that she would die for Sweet William the next day.

They buried Barbara in the old church yard
Barbara Allen was buried in the old church yard.

They buried Sweet William beside her
Sweet William was buried next to her.

Out of his grave grew a red, red rose
A red rose grew out of Sweet William's grave.

And out of hers a briar
A briar grew out of Barbara Allen's grave.

They grew and grew up the old church wall
The rose and the briar grew up the old church wall.

Till they could grow no higher
They grew until they couldn't grow any higher.

And at the top twined a lover's knot
The rose and the briar intertwined at the top, making a lover's knot.