In Scarlet town, where I was born
There was a fair maid dwellin'
Made every youth cry well a-day
For her name was Barbara Allen

All in the merry month of May
When the green buds was a swellin'
Sweet William on his deathbed lay
For the love of Barbara Allen

He sent a servant to the town
To the town where she was dwellin'
"My master bids you come with me
If your name be Barbara Allen"

So, slowly slowly she got up
And slowly she drew nigh him
But all she said, when there she came, was
"Young man, I fear you're dying"

"Oh yes, I'm sick, I'm very sick
Oh yes, I'm nigh to dying
And all because I love you so
Hard-hearted Barbara Allen"

"Oh, can you not? The other day
In the town where I was dwellin'
You drank a toast to the ladies around
But you slighted Barbara Allen"
"Oh yes, I can – I can and will
In the town where you was dwellin'
I gave a toast to the ladies around
But my love to Barbara Allen"

As she was walking o'er the hill
She heard the death bell knelling
And every note, it seemed to say
"Hard-hearted Barbara Allen"

"Oh father father, dig my grave
Oh, dig it deep and narrow
Sweet William died for me today
I'll die for him tomorrow"

They buried them there in the old churchyard
In death he was beside her
Out of his heart grew a red, red rose
And out of hers, a briar

They grew and grew 'round the old church tower
'Til they could grow no higher
And at the top, twined a true love's knot
A red rose around a brier