Roseanne Cash Follow

BARBARA ALLEN

Twas in the merry month of May
When all gay flowers were a bloomin',
Sweet William on his death-bed lay
For the love of Barbara Allen.

He sent his servant to the town
To the place where she was dwelling
Said, "You must come to my master's house,
If your name be Barbara Allen."

So slowly, slowly she gets up,
And to his bedside going
She drew the curtains to one side
And says, "Young man, you're dying."

"I know, I'm sick and very sick,
And sorrow dwells within me
No better, no better I never will be.
Til I have Barbara Allen."

"Don't you remember last Saturday night
When I was at the tavern,
You gave your drinks to the ladies there
But you slighted Barbara Allen?"

He reached up his pale white hands
Intending for to touch her
She turned away from his bedside
And says, "Young man I won't have you."

He turned his cheek into the wall
And bursted out a crying
"Adieu to thee adieu to all
And adieu to Barbara Allen."

She had not more and reached the town
She heard the death bells ringing
And as they rung they seemed to say,
"Hard-hearted Barbara Allen."

"Oh Mother, oh mother go make my bed
Make it both long and narrow
Sweet William died for me today
I'll die for him tomorrow."

Sweet William was buried in the old church yard
And Barbara they laid nigh him,
And out of his grave grew a red, red rose,
And out of hers, a briar.

They grew and grew to the old churchgate,
Where they could grow no higher,
And there they tied in a true love's knot.
The rose wrapped round the briar.

Twas in the merry month of May
When all gay flowers were a bloomin',
Sweet William on his death-bed lay
For the love of Barbara Allen.