Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BARBARA ALLEN ['S CRUELTY] (1), by ANONYMOUS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BARBARA ALLEN ['S CRUELTY] (1), by                    
First Line: It was in and about the martinmas time
Last Line: "since my love died for me today, / I'll die for him tomorrow"
Variant Title(s): Bonny Barbara Allan;sir John Graeme And Barbara Allan
Subject(s): Suicide


It was in and about the Martinmas time,
When the green leaves were afalling,
That Sir John Graeme, in the West Country,
Fell in love with Barbara Allan.
He sent his men down through the town,
To the place where she was dwelling;
"O haste and come to my master dear,
Gin ye be Barbara Allan."
O hooly, hooly rose she up,
To the place where he was lying,
And when she drew the curtain by:
"Young man, I think you're dying."
"O it's I'm sick, and very, very sick,
And 'tis a' for Barbara Allan." --
"O the better for me ye's never be,
Tho your heart's blood were aspilling.
"O dinna ye mind, young man," said she,
"When ye was in the tavern adrinking,
That ye made the health gae round and round,
And slighted Barbara Allan?"
He turned his face unto the wall,
And death was with him dealing:
"Adieu, adieu, my dear friends all,
And be kind to Barbara Allan."
And slowly, slowly raise she up,
And slowly, slowly left him,
And sighing said she could not stay,
Since death of life had reft him.
She had not gane a mile but twa,
When she heard the dead-bell ringing,
And every jow that the dead-bell geid,
It cried, "Woe to Barbara Allan!"
"O mother, mother, make my bed!
O make it saft and narrow!
Since my love died for me today,
I'll die for him tomorrow."






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