Barbara Ellen

It was in the merry, merry month of May

When the green buds, they were swelling

Young William green on his deathbed lay

For the love of Barbara Ellen

He sent his servant to her town

To the place where she was dwelling

Saying master's sick and he sends for you

If your name is Barbara Ellen

So slowly, slowly she got up

And slowly she came nigh him

And all she said when she got there

"Young man, I believe you're dying"

"Oh yes, I'm low, I am very low

And death is on me dwelling

No better, no better I ever will be

For I can't get Barbara Ellen"

"Oh yes, you're low, you are very low

And death is on you dwelling

No better, no better you ever will be

For you can't get Barbara Ellen"

Oh don't you remember in yonder's town

In yonder's town a drinking

You raised your glass all around

And you slighted Barbara Ellen

Oh yes, I remember in yonder's town

In yonder's town a drinking

I gave my health to the ladies all around

But my heart to Barbara Ellen

He turned his pale face to the wall

For death was on him dwelling

"Adieu, adieu, good neighbors all

Adieu sweet Barbara Ellen"

As she was going across the fields

She heard those death bells knelling

And every stroke the dead-bell gave

"Hard-hearted Barbara Ellen"

"Oh mother, Mother, make my bed

Go make it long and narrow

Young William's died for me today

And I'll die for him tomorrow"

Oh, she was laid in the old church wall

And he was buried nigh her

And out of his bosom grew a red, red rose

And out of hers a briar

They grew, they grew up the old church tower

Till they could grow no higher

They locked and they tied in a true lover's knot

The red rose around the briar