Have you read or heard the song of Barbra Allen?

Question

A classic love song in true bluegrass style. I paraphrased it a bit, so please don't yell plaigerism. I don't claim it as my own, except for the butchering job I did to it. The song was originally wrote from the female standpoint, I gave the story to the male view.

My heart is sick from love of you,

I think I'm sure to die.

You told me how I slighted you,

How I caused you to cry.

You said no way I'd have your love,

Then you went on your way.

My heart was broke beyond repair,

And I did die that day.

You told your mother, make your bed,

And make it up with sorrow.

"My William died for me today,

I'll die for him tomorrow.

They buried us in the old church yard,

Buried by the Friar.

On my grave grew a great red rose,

On yours there grew a briar.

They grew up to the steeple tall,

Til they could grow no higher.

And there they tied in a lovers' knot.

The rose bush and the briar.

Answer 1

aka Greensleeves.  At least that's the tune I hummed it to.  Oh mother, mother, make my bed for I shall die tomorrow.  Very nice love poem.  Kudos.  Tristan and Isolde would be proud.

Answer 2

In London town

Where I was born

There lived a fair

Maid dwelling

Made all the youths

Long all the day

For the love

Of Bar'bra Allen...

Answer 3

Yes ....nice poem

Answer 4

It was originally a folk ballad (probably from Scotland or Ireland) and was a lyric ballad (sung and passed generation to generation by song because most people couldn't read/write).  It came to America from that beginning.  That's why there are an infinite number of renditions of it.  So it was not originally a "bluegrass" song - traditional ballad is how it is officially classified.

Answer 5

Oh, yes! I've heard the song and know the tune so well. The memories go back to my grandmother, who died at 101, and then to my mother. Only one of the songs I remember so well that grandmother sang to me. Why did you brings the memories back? This song stays in your mind for days. I'll be asking how can I make it go away? LOL. Loved your arrangement. Truly, thanks for the memories!

Answer 6

Yes I have. Do you know all the verses to My Darlin' Clementine?I especially like the last one:

In a churchyard on a hillside,

Where the flowers bud and twine,  

There are Rosies amongst Posies,

Fertilized by Clementine.

Quite hilarious don't you think?

Answer 7

When I read your poetry

My heart burns with white fire,

You, my love, are my red rose,

I hope I'm not your briar.

Answer 8

As sorrowful as Romeo and Juliet! as well.

Last two stanzas are tear jerkers, yet a victory, Lovely

rendition. Kudos.

Answer 9

"Samuel Pepys in his Diary under the date of January 2, 1666, speaks of the singing of "Barbara Allen."  The English and the Scotch (sic)  both claim the original ballad in different versions, and both versions were brought over to this country by the earliest settlers.  Since then there have been countless variations, some ninety-eight are found in Virginia alone.  The ballad used here {in my song book} is the English one.  The tune is traditional"

Answer 10

Oooo, how delightfully dark. I love it.

88 out of 100, sir. If you don't agree, that's fine, it's just an opinion. But, what good is literature without opinion?

*applauds Elaine P*