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Shirley Collins - Barbara Allen (Official Audio)
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Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
Shirley Collins
Shirley Collins
Performer
Dolly Collins
Dolly Collins
Performer
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Merle Travis
Merle Travis
Composer
Urban
Urban
Songwriter
Shirley Collins
Shirley Collins
Arranger

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
In Scarlet town where I was born
There was a fair maid dwellin'
Made every youth cry well-a-day
Her name was Barbara Allen
[Verse 2]
All in the merry month of May
When green buds they were swelling
Young Jimmy Grove on his death-bed lay
For love of Barbara Allen
[Verse 3]
He sent his man into the town
To the place where she was dwellin'
Says "Will you come to my master, dear?
If your name is Barbara Allen"
[Verse 4]
Then slowly, slowly got she up
And slowly came she nigh him
And all she said when there she came
"Young man, I think you're dying"
[Verse 5]
"Indeed I'm sick and very sick
And won't get any better
Unless I gain the love of one
The love of Barbara Allen"
[Verse 6]
"Don't you recall the other night
While at the ale-house drinking?
You drank a health the the ladies round
But slighted Barbara Allen"
[Verse 7]
And death is printed on his face
And o'er his heart is stealing
And again he cried, as she left his side
Hard-hearted Barbara Allen
[Verse 8]
As she was walking o'er the fields
She heard the death-bell tollin'
And every toll it seemed to say
Hard-hearted Barbara Allen
[Verse 9]
When he was dead and laid in grave
Her heart was struck with sorrow
"Since Jimmy died for me today
I'll die for him tomorrow"
[Verse 10]
She was buried in yon churchyard
And Jimmy lay a-nigh her
And from his grave grew a red, red rose
And out of hers a briar
[Verse 11]
They grew and grew round the old church tower
Till they could grow no higher
They met and twined in a true-love knot
The red rose round the briar
Written by: Ian Kearey, Shirley Collins

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