Description
An arrangement for alto (or baritone) voice and orchestra of the Barbara Allen folk song with many interesting cadences, harmonies and countermelodies.
In Scarlet Town where I was born,
There was a fair maid dwelling,
Made every youth cry, “Well-a-day”,
Her name was Barbara Allen.
All in the merry month of May,
When green buds were a-swelling,
Young Willy Grove on his death bed lay,
For love of Barbara Allen.
He sent his man down unto her then,
To the town where she was dwelling.
“You must come to my master dear,
If your name’s Barbara Allen.”
So slowly, slowly she came up,
And slowly she came nigh him,
And all she said when there she came,
“Young man I think you’re dying.”
He turned his face unto the wall,
And death was drawing nigh him,
“Adieu, adieu, my dear friends all,
And be kind to Barbara Allen.”
As she was walking o’er the fields,
She heard the dead-bell knellin’;
And every stroke did seem to say
“Unworthy Barbara Allen!”
When he was laid dead in grave,
Her heart was struck with sorrow,
“Oh mother, mother make my bed,
For I shall die tomorrow.”
And on her death bed she lay,
She begged to be buried by him,
And so repented of the day,
That she did e’er deny him.
“Farewell”, she said, “You virgins all,
And shun the fault I fell in.
Hence forth take warning by the fall,
Of cruel Barbara Allen.”