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In Scarlet town where I was born
There was a fair maid dwelling
Made every youth cry – Well-a-day
And they called her Barb'ry Allen

It was in the month of May
When all gay flowers were a-bloomin'
Sweet William on his death-bed lay
For the want of Barb'ry Allen

He called his servant to his bed
And bade him quickly leave him
To fetch that fair maid to his side
That fair maid Barb'ry Allen

He searched high and he searched low
Till at last he drew nigh her
Saying – Pretty fair maid, come fly with me
If your name be Barb'ry Allen

Slowly, slowly she got up
And slowly she drew nigh him
But all she said at his bed-side
Was – Young man, I think you're dyin'
Don't you recall last Saturday night
When we's all at the tavern
You raised a toast to the ladies all
But you slighted Barb'ry Allen

Yes, I remember last Saturday night
When we gathered at the tavern
I gave a toast to the ladies all
But my heart to Barb'ry Allen

O take it back, I'll keep it not
You've slighted me so sorely
Come Saturday night, in the tavern near
I'll serve you just as poorly

He turned his face all t'wards the wall
A sigh it did escape him
That night Sweet William breathed his last
From the loss of Barb'ry Allen

As she was riding through the town
She heard the death-bells tollin'
And with each stroke they seemed to say:
Hard-hearted Barb'ry Allen!

O mother, O mother, make up my bed
Make it both long and narrow
Sweet William died for me last night
I'll die for him tomorrow
They found her there the very next morn
As though she's sweetly sleepin'
With a note that said – Farewell to all
I'm finished with my grievin'

They buried William in the old graveyard
And Barb'ry they laid nigh him
And out'n his grave grew a blood red rose
And out'n hers a briar

They grew and grew to the graveyard gate
Where they could grow no higher
And there they tied in a true lover's knot
With the rose wrapped around the briar

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