Barbry Ellen

Was in the merry month of May, with the green buds all a-swellin
Sweet William Green on his deathbed lay for the love of Barbry Ellen
He sent his servant to the town, to the place where she was dwellin'
Saying «master's sick and he sends for you, if your name be Barbry Ellen»
So slowly, slowly she got up, and slowly she went a-nigh him
But all she said when she got there: «young man I believe you’re dying»
Oh yes I’m low, and very low, and death is on me dwellin'
No better, no better I never shall be if I can’t have Barbry Ellen
Oh don’t you remember in yonder’s town, in the tavern all a-drinkin'
You raised your glass to the ladies all around, but you slighted Barbry Ellen
Oh yes I remember in yonder’s town, in the tavern all a-drinkin'
I gave my health to the ladies all around, but my heart to Barbry Ellen
He turned his pale face to the wall, and death was on him dwellin'
«Adieu, adieu, you good neighbors, all, be kind to Barbry Ellen»
As she went walking ‘cross the field she could hear those death bells knellin'
And every toll they seemed to say: «hard-hearted Barbry Ellen»
Oh mother, oh mother, go make my bed, go make it long and narrow
Sweet William died for me today and I’ll die for him tomorrow
Barbry’s buried ‘neath the old church tower, sweet William there beside her
And out of his breast grew a red, red rose, out of Barbry’s grew a green briar
They grew and grew up the old church tower til they could grow no higher
They lapped and tied in a true love’s knot, red rose wrapped ‘round the green
briar