Barbara Allen Songtext
von Pete Seeger

In Scarlet Town where I was born
There was a fair maid dwellin′
Made many a youth cry well-a-day
And her name was Bobri Ellen

'Twas in the merry month of May
When green buds they were swellin′
Sweet William came from the West Country
And he courted Bobri Ellen

He sent his servant unto her
To the place where she was dwellin'
Said, "My master's sick, bids me call for you
If your name be Bobri Ellen"


Well slowly, slowly got she up
And slowly went she nigh him
But all she said as she passed his bed
"Young man, I think you′re dyin′"

Then lightly tripped she down the stairs
She heard those church bells tollin'
And each bell seemed to say as it tolled
"Hard-hearted Bobri Ellen"

Oh mother, mother, go make my bed
And make it long and narrow
Sweet William died for me today
I′ll die for him tomorrow


They buried Barbara in the old churchyard
They buried Sweet William beside her
Out of his grave grew a red, red rose
And out of hers a briar
They grew and grew up the old church wall
Till they could grow no higher
And at the top twined in a lover's knot
The red rose and the briar