Bonny Barbara Allan Written Anonymously Interpreted by Natalie Anderson, Peter Keuffner, and Terry Rohacz

Ballads • • • • A ballad is songlike, and tells a story.

It usually contains a refrain.

There are two different types of ballads, folk ballads, and literary ballads.

Bonny Barbara Allan is a folk ballad.

Author • • • This poem is written anonymously.

There aren’t any ideas as to who actually wrote this ballad.

Ballads like this one are passed down orally.

Similar Poems • • Bonny Barbara Allan is not alone in content.

Several other similar titles include:"Barbara Ellen”, "Barbara Alla”, "Barb'ry Allen”, "Barbriallen”.

Words to Own • • • There are two words to own in this poem.

Courted- to try to win the favor, preference, or goodwill of someone Slighted-to treat as of little importance

Bonny Barbara Allan

Oh, in the merry month of May, When all things were a-blooming, Sweet William came from the Western States And courted Barbara Allan.

Bonny Barbara Allan But he took sick, and very sick And he sent for Barbara Allan, And all she said when she got there, “Young man, you are a-dying”

Bonny Barbara Allan “ But don’t you remember the other day You were down in town a-drinking?

You drank your health to the ladies all around, And slighted Barbara Allan”

Bonny Barbara Allan “Oh Yes, I’m sick, and I’m very sick, And I think that death is upon me; But one sweet kiss from Barbara’s lips Will save me from my dying”

Bonny Barbara Allan “ Oh yes, I remember the other day I was down in town a-drinking; I drank my health to the ladies all ’round. But my love to Barbara Allan

Bonny Barbara Allan He turned his face to the wall; She turned her back upon him; The very last word she heard him say, “Hardhearted Barbara Allan”

Bonny Barbara Allan As she passed on through London Town, She heard some bells a-ringing, And every bell, it seemed to say, “Hardhearted Barbara Allan”

Bonny Barbara Allan She hadn’t got more than a mile from town When she saw his corpse a-coming’ “O bring him here, and ease him down, And let me look upon him

Bonny Barbara Allan “ Oh, take him away! Oh, take him away!

For I am sick and dying!

His death- cold features say to me, ‘Hardhearted Barbara Allan”

Bonny Barbara Allan “O Father, O Father, go dig my grave, And dig it long and narrow; Sweet William died for me today; I’ll die for him tomorrow.”

Bonny Barbara Allan They buried them both in the old graveyard, All side and side each other.

A red, red rose grew out of his grave, And a green briar out of hers.

Bonny Barbara Allan They grew and grew so very high That they could grow no higher; They lapped, they tied in a truelove knot— The rose ran ‘round the briar.

The First Stanza • • • May is the month of love.

William is from a different area.

He tries to win over Barbara Allan.

The Second Stanza • • William is sick but probably love-sick.

Barbara Allan recognizes that he is dying.

The Third Stanza • • William admit that he is dying.

He asks for a kiss – a token of his love for her.

The Fourth Stanza • • She accuses him of cheating.

She cannot forgive him.

The Fifth Stanza • • William defends himself by saying that he told all of the other women that he was in love with Barbara Allan.

He also drank to his health.

The Sixth Stanza • • • William gives up.

He calls her “Hardhearted Barbara Allan”.

This changes the tone and makes Barbara Allan harder.

Seventh Stanza • • • Barbara Allan feels guilty.

She hears the funeral bells.

She hears William’s words repeated.

The Eight Stanza • • Her guilt continues.

The birds are a-singing “Hardhearted Barbara Allan”.

The Ninth Stanza • • • Barbara Allan’s guilt continues to build.

The funeral procession is just too much for her.

She asks to see the body.

The Tenth Stanza • • Her grief and guilt completely overcome Barbara Allan.

She is dying from her grief.

The Eleventh Stanza • • Barbara Allan claims to be dying of grief.

She may have committed suicide.

The Twelfth Stanza • • • They are both united in death.

A rose grew on top of William’s grave.

A briar grew on top of Barbara Allan’s.

The Thirteenth Stanza • • William’s love for Barbara Allan triumphs in death.

The rose wraps around the briar instead of the other way around.

Questions • 1. Why do you think "Bonny Barbara Allan” has remained popular throughout the ages?

• It has remained popular, because it is easy to relate to.

Questions(cont’d) 4.The young man courted the actress for months, bringing her flowers and writing her ballads.

5.Time and time again, he slighted her, reading or looking around the room while she talked.

Questions(cont’d) • • • • 9.The mood of the poem is starts off as light and romantic.

Changes in the third stanza with the mention of death Changes after that with William’s words “Hardhearted Barbara Allan” Changes at the end back to romantic.

Questions(cont’d) • 6. Ballads don’t always tell the whole story. What details are left out of “Bonny Barbara Allan”?

• • We don’t know whether William cheated or not.

We don’t know how Barbara Allan died.

Last Thoughts • • • • • • Bonny Barbara Allan is a ballad.

There are many similar versions.

Easily relatable Slighted, courted In ballads, certain details are left out.

There is a full circle in the mood.