Barbra Allen

Trad. Scottish Folk Song

(Lyrics adapted by the composer)

 

'Twas in the merry month of May

when flowers were a bloomin'

Sweet William on his death bed lay

for the love of Barbra Allen

 

And inch by inch old Barbra rose,

and slowly she went near him

She said to him when she got there,

"Sweet Will, I think you're dyin'.

My love, I think you're dyin'."

 

They buried Will in the old churchyard

and Barbra there beside him.

And out of his grave grew a red, red rose

and out of hers a briar.

 

They grew and grew in the old churchyard

'til they could grow no higher,

and there they twined in true love's knot,

red rose around green briar.

 

For whom did sweet, sweet William die?

Her name was Barbra Allen.