arranged by Richard John
for unaccompanied soprano, alto, tenor and bass chorus

SATB performance time approx 3m 00s

Music

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Words

In Scarlet town where I was born,
There was a fair maid dwellin'
Made every youth cry well-a-day;
Her name was Barb'ra Allen.

All in the merry month of May,
When green buds they were swellin',
Young Jemmy Grove on his death-bed lay,
For love of Barb'ra Allen.

And death is printed on his face
And o’er his heart is stealin’.
Then haste away to comfort him,
Oh lovely Barb'ra Allen.

So slowly, slowly she came up,
And slowly she came nigh him,
And all she said when there she came:
‘Young man, I think you're dying.’

When he was dead and laid in grave,
Her heart was struck with sorrow.
‘Oh mother, mother, make my bed
For I shall die tomorrow.’

‘Farewell!’, she said, ‘ye maidens all,
And shun the fault I fell in;
Henceforth take warning by the fall
Of cruel Barb’ra Allen.’

traditional English song

Price

The price of this piece depends on the number of singers in your group. This is a single payment for a licence to make as many copies as you need for your group to rehearse and perform the song as often as you wish. Copies of the song must not be given, lent or sold to any other group.

Companion pieces