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Barbara Allen

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Performer: Bishop, Emily
Place Collected: Bromesberrow
Date collected: 1957 (27 Aug)
Collector: Wortley, Russell
Roud Number: 54
Other Numbers: Child 84

This tale of love scorned and mental cruelty has proved to be hugely popular all over the English-speaking world. Samuel Pepys mentioned it in his diaries in 1666 and versions of are still being recorded by current folksong collectors. It appears to be the most frequently collected of all Child ballads.

 

Notes by Gwilym Davies and Jon Lighter