Key: D
Introduction:
D A D
Twas in the merry month of May,
G D
When green buds all were swellin,
D7 G D Bm
Sweet William on his death bed lay
D A7 D
For love of Barbara Allen.
A D
He sent his servant to the town,
G D
To the place where she was dwellin,
D7 G D Bm
Saying, "You must come to my master dear,
D A7 D
If your name be Barb´ry Allen."
A D
So, slowly, slowly she got up,
G D
And slowly she drew nigh him,
D7 G D Bm
And the only words to him did say,
D A7 D
"Young man, I think you´re dyin."
A D
He turned his face unto the wall,
G D
And death was in him wellin,
D7 G D Bm
"Good-bye, good-bye to my friends all,
D A7 D
Be good to Barb´ry Allen."
A D
When he was dead and laid in grave,
G D
She heard the death bells Knellin,
D A7 D
"Hard-hearted Barb´ry Allen."
A D
"Oh mother, oh mother, go dig my grave,
G D
Make it both long and narrow
D7 G D Bm
Sweet William died of love for me,
D A7 D
And I will die of sorrow."
A D
"And father, oh father, go dig my grave,
G D
Make it both long and narrow,
D7 G D Bm
Sweet William died on yesterday,
D A7 D
And I will die tomorrow."
A D
Barb´ry Allen was buried in the old church-yard,
G D
Sweet William was buried beside her
D7 G D Bm
Out of Sweet William´s heart there grew a rose,
D A7 D
Out of Barb´ry Allen´s, a briar.
A D
They grew and grew in the old church-yard,
G D
Til they could grow no higher
D7 G D Bm
At the end they formed a true lovers´ knot,
D A7 D
And the rose grew round the briar.