Barbry Ellen Songtext
von JP Harris

It was in the merry month of May
When the green buds all a-smellin′
Sweet William Green on his deathbed lay
For the love of Barbry Ellen
He sent his servant to the town
To the place where she was dwellin'
Said, "The master′s sick and he sends for you
If your name be Barbry Ellen"

So slow-like, slow-like she got up
And slow-like she went dyin'
But all she said when she got there
"Young man, I believe you're dyin′"
"Oh yes, I′m low and very low
And death is on me dwellin'
No better, no better I never shall be
If I can′t have Barbry Ellen"


"Oh, don't you remember in yonder town
In the tavern all a-drinkin′
You raised your glass to the ladies all around
Slighted Barbry Ellen?"
"Oh yes, I remember in yonder town
In the tavern all a-drinkin'
I gave my health to the ladies all around
But my heart to Barbry Ellen"

He turned his pale face to the wall
And death was on him dwellin′
Adieu, adieu, good neighbors all
Be kind to Barbry Ellen
As she went walkin' 'cross the field
She could hear those deathbells knellin′
And every toll they seemed to say
"Hard-hearted Barbry Ellen"

"Oh mother, oh mother, go make my bed
Go make it long and narrow
Sweet William died for me today
And I′ll die for him tomorrow"
Oh, Barbry's buried ′neath the old church tower
Sweet William there beside her
And out of his breast grew a red red rose
Out of Barbry's grew a green briar


They grew and grew at the old church tower
′Til they could grow no higher
They lapped and tied in a true love's knot
Red rose wrapped ′round the green briar