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Chords and Lyrics for Barbara Allen

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Traditional Music
Traditional Lyrics

VERSE 1

   D              
In Scarlet town, where I was born,

            Bm   E7   A 
There was a fair maid dwellin',

     G                D   
Made ev'ry youth cry "well-away;" 

             G  A7   D 
Her name was Barbara Allen.

  
All in the merry month of May,

                Bm   E7   A 
When green buds then were swellin',

      Bm    Em7          D        Bm 
Young Jemmy Grove on his deathbed lay,

    D       G  A7   D 
For love of Barbara Allen. 

  
VERSE 2

    D 
And death is printed on his face,

             Bm    E7 A 
And o'er his heart is stealin',

     G             D 
Then haste away to comfort him,

         G  A7   D 
O lovely Barbara Allen.

  
So slowly, slowly she came up,

           Bm  E7   A 
And slowly she came nigh him;

    Bm      E7         D         Bm 
And all she said, when there she came, 

       D      G     A7     D 
"Young man, I think you're dying." 

  
VERSE 3

     D 
When he was dead and in his grave,

              Bm     E7   A 
Her heart was struck with sorrow; 

   G               D 
"O mother, mother, make my bed,

            G   A7 D 
For I shall die tomorrow.

  
Farewell," she said, "ye virgins all,

             Bm    E7 A 
And shun the fault I  fell in;

     Bm         Em7     D      Bm 
Henceforth take warning by the fall 

   D     G  A7   D 
Of cruel Barbara Allen."

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Chords

Below is a list of all the chords in this song. Click on a chord to learn how to play the chord on a particular instrument.

Instrument Chords
Banjo A Major A7 B Minor D Major E7 Em7 G Major
Guitar A Major A7 B Minor D Major E7 Em7 G Major
Mandolin A Major A7 B Minor D Major E7 Em7 G Major
Piano A Major A7 B Minor D Major E7 Em7 G Major
Ukulele A Major A7 B Minor D Major E7 Em7 G Major

Sheet Music for Barbara Allen

Chords on this page may be simplified from the original version. View the sheet music for this title to see the original chords. The following sheet music is available for this title: