It was in the merry month of May
The green buds were swellin
Sweet William on his death bed lay
For the love of Barbry Ellen
He sent his servant to the town
To the place where she was dwellin
The Masters sick and he send for you,
If your name be Barbry Allen.
So slow-ly, slow-ly she got up
And slow-ly she came a nigh him
And all she said when she got there
Young man I believe youre dyin.
Oh yes Im low, Im very low
And death is on me dwellin
No better, no better I never will be
If I cant have Barbry Allen
Oh yes youre low, and very low
And death is on you dwellin
No better, no better youll never be
For you cant get Barbry Allen
For dont you remember in yonder stand
In yonder stand a drinkin
You passed your glass all round and round
But not to Barbry Ellen
Oh yes I remember in yonder stand
In yonder stand a drinkin
I drained my health to the ladies all around
And I slighted Barbry Allen
He turned his pale face to the wall
For death was on him dwellin
Adieu, adieu, you good neighbors all
Adieu sweet Barbry Allen
As she was goin across the fields
The death bells were a knellin
And evry stroke the death bell gave
Hard-hearted Barbry Allen
Oh Mother, oh Mother, make my bed
Go make it both long and narrow
Sweet Willys died for me today
And Ill die for him tomorrow
Oh he was buried in the old church yard
And she was buried all nigh him
And out of his bosom grew a red, red rose
And out of hers a briar
They grew and they grew up the old church tower
Till they could grow no higher
They locked in tight in a true lovers knot
Red rose right round the briar