Barb'ry Ellen

In Scarlet town, where I was born
There was a fair maid a dwellin'
Made every youth cry "well a day"
And her name was Barb'ry Ellen

'Twas in the merry month of May
When green buds they were a swellin'
Sweet William on his death bed lay
For the love of Barb'ry Ellen

When he was dead and in his grave
Her heart was struck with sorrow
"Oh mother, oh mother, come make my bed
For I shall die tomorrow."

She on her deathbed as she lay
Begged to be buried by him
And sore repented of the day
That she did e'er deny him

They buried her in the old church yard
And he was buried nigh her
On William's grave grew a red, red rose
On Barb'ry's grew a brier

They grew to the top of the old church wall
Till they could grow no higher
And there they tied a true lover's knot
The red rose 'round the brier