Contents: IntroductionPoem Summary Themes Style Critical Overview Criticism Sources For Further Study |
Poem Text
1
It was in and about the Martinmas time,When the green leaves were a-falling,That Sir John Graeme, in the West Country,
Fell in love with Barbara Allan.
2
He sent his man down through the town, 5To the place where she was dwelling:
“O haste and come to my master dear,
Gin ye be Barbara Allan.”
3
O hooly, hooly rose she up,To the place where he was lying, 10
And when she drew the curtain by:
“Young man, I think you’re dying.”
4
“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, 15
Though your heart’s blood were a-spilling.
5
“O dinna ye mind, young man,” said she,“When ye was in the tavern a drinking,
That ye made the healths gae round and round,
And slighted Barbara Allan?” 20
6
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.”
7
And slowly, slowly raise she up, 25And slowly, slowly left him,
And sighing said, she could not stay,
Since death of life had reft him.
8
She had not gane a mile but twa,When she heard the dead-bell ringing, 30
And every jow that the dead-bell geid,
It cried, “Woe to Barbara Allan!”
9
“O mother, mother, make my bed!O make it saft and narrow!
Since my love died for me to-day, 35
I’ll die for him to-morrow.”
10
They buried her in the old churchyard,And Sir John’s grave was nigh her.
And from his heart grew a red, red rose,
And from her heart a brier. 40
11
They grew to the top o’ the old church wall,Till they could grow no higher,
Until they tied a true love’s knot —
The red rose and the brier.
