There were three maids, there were three maids

VoiceCollected and transcribed by Mary Celestia Parler Sung by Mrs. Hallie Griffin Conway, Arkansas July 27, 1958 Reel 293, Item 6 Barbara Allen There were three maids, there were three maids There were three maids dwelling The ______ one I called my own And that was Barbara Allen. Young man, recollect the other day When you were in town drinking, You drank a toast to the ladies all But you slighted Barbara Allen. He sent a servant to the town, He sent him to her dwelling, Saying, Master’s sick and sends for you If your name be Barbara Allen. Then slowly slowly she rose up And to his bedside going And all she said wherever she stood Was Young man, I fear you're dying. Oh, yes, you're sick, and very sick, And death is on you dwelling No better, no better, you ever shall be, Cried cruel Barbara Allen. He turned his pale face to the wall And burst out crying Saying, Adieu, adieu to one and all Be kind to Barbara Allen. As she was walking up the streets She heard the bells tolling, And every word they seemed to say Was Cruel Barbara Allen. (Cont'd)Barbara Allen Reel 298, Item 6 Continued She turned to the east, then looked to the west, And saw those cold corpse coming, Sit down, sit down, this mournful corpse And let me look upon it. Sit down, sit down this mournful corpse And let me look upon it, For I could hare saved this young man's life If I had but said that I love him. Sweet William died on a Friday night Miss Barbara died on Saturday The old woman died for love of both She died on Easter Sunday.Funding for digitization provided by the Arkansas Humanities Council and the Happy Hollow Foundation