[Verse 1]
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

[Verse 2]
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”

[Verse 3]
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”

[Verse 4]
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

[Verse 5]
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

[Verse 6]
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

[Verse 7]
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”
[Verse 8]
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”

[Verse 9]
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

[Verse 10]
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

[Verse 11]
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