The Cruelty of Barbry Ellen Songtext
von Meg Baird

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 Master′s 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 you're dyin′."

Oh yes I′m low, I'm very low
And death is on me dwellin′
No better, no better I will never be
If I can't have Barbry Allen


Oh yes you′re low, and very low
And death is on you dwellin'
No better, no better you′ll never be
For you can't get Barbry Allen

For don't 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 ev′ry stroke the death bell gave
Hard-hearted Barbry Allen


Oh Mother, oh Mother, make my bed
Go make it both long and narrow
Sweet Willy's died for me today
And I'll 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 lover′s knot
Red rose right ′round the briar