Barbara Allen
View chords used in this chart
Capo 2
D A D
All in the merry month of May,
G A
When green buds all were swelling
G D
Sweet William on his deathbed lay
G D A
For love of Barbara Allen
D A D
He sent his servant to the town,
G A
The place where she did dwell in
G D
Saying, "Master dear has sent me here
G A
If your name be Barbara Allen."
D A D
Then slowly, slowly she got up
G A
And slowly she went to him
G D
And all she said when there she came
G D A
Was, "Young man, I think you're dying.?
D A D
"Don't you remember the other night
G A
When we were in the tavern?
G D
You drank a toast to the ladies there,
G D G A
And slighted Barbara Allen."
D A D
He turned his face unto the wall,
G A
He turned his back upon her
G D
"Adieu, adieu, to all my friends,
G A D
And be kind, be kind to Barbara Allen."
Instrumental:
A D A D
As she was wandering o'er the fields,
G A
She heard the death bell knelling
G D
And every note, it seemed to say,
G A
"Hard-hearted Barbara Allen!"
D A D
The more it tolled the more she grieved,
G A
She bursted out a-crying
G D
"Oh, pick me up and carry me home,
G A
I fear that I am dying."
Instrumental: D G A D G A
## Key Change - Up 3 semitones ##
F C F Bb C
F C F
They buried Willy in the old church yard
Bb C
And Barbara in the new one,
Bb F
And from William's grave, there grew a rose,
Bb C
From Barbara's, a green briar
F C F
They grew and grew in the old church yard,
Bb C
'Til they could grow no higher,
Bb F
And there they tied in a true lover's knot,
C F
The red rose and the briar.
How to play Barbara Allen
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is D. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.