“Bonny Barbara Allan” (Traditional Ballad): A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “Bonny Barbara Allan” (Traditional Ballad)

“Bonny Barbara Allan” (Traditional Ballad) first appeared in print in the 17th century, notably in Allan Ramsay’s collection The Tea-Table Miscellany (1740), though its oral tradition dates back earlier. The ballad tells the tragic love story of Sweet William and Barbara Allan, emphasizing themes of love, rejection, regret, and fate. Sweet William falls ill and calls for Barbara, hoping for her affection to save him, but she coldly reminds him of his past slight, leading to his death. Struck by remorse upon hearing the tolling bells and birds echoing his last words, Barbara Allan soon follows him in death. The ballad’s enduring popularity comes from its dramatic emotional arc and its use of lyrical repetition, as seen in the refrain of “Hardhearted Barbara Allan.” The final image of the intertwining rose and briar symbolizes posthumous reconciliation, reinforcing the themes of love transcending death. The combination of simple yet poignant language, folkloric storytelling, and a haunting melody contributed to its widespread appeal and preservation across generations.”

Text: “Bonny Barbara Allan” (Traditional Ballad)

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

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

“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.”

“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.”

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

She then passed on to the country road,
And heard some birds a-singing;
And every bird it seemed to say,
“Hardhearted 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.

“Oh, take him away! Oh, take him away!
For I am sick and dying!
His death-cold features say to me,
‘Hardhearted 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.”

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.

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.

Annotations: “Bonny Barbara Allan” (Traditional Ballad)

Line from the Ballad	Simple Explanation	Literary Devices
Oh, in the merry month of May,	It is the joyful month of May.	Alliteration (“merry month of May”), Imagery
When all things were a-blooming,	Flowers and nature are blooming.	Imagery, Symbolism (blooming = life & love)
Sweet William came from the Western states	A young man, Sweet William, arrives from a distant land.	Characterization, Imagery
And courted Barbara Allan.	He falls in love with Barbara Allan.	Characterization, Narrative style
But he took sick, and very sick	He becomes very ill.	Repetition (“sick, very sick”), Foreshadowing
And he sent for Barbara Allan,	He sends a message asking Barbara to visit him.	Narrative technique, Direct speech
And all she said when she got there,	When she arrives, she speaks to him.	Dialogue, Dramatic irony
“Young man, you are a-dying.”	She coldly tells him he is dying.	Dialogue, Repetition (“dying”)
“Oh yes, I’m sick, and I’m very sick,	He confirms he is sick and near death.	Repetition, Dramatic irony
And I think that death’s upon me;	He believes he is about to die.	Foreshadowing, Imagery
But one sweet kiss from Barbara’s lips	He asks for a kiss, thinking it will save him.	Hyperbole, Metaphor (“one sweet kiss”)
Will save me from my dying.”	He pleads for Barbara’s love one last time.	Pleading tone, Hyperbole
“But don’t you remember the other day	Barbara reminds him of something from the past.	Flashback, Dialogue
You were down in town a-drinking?	She recalls he was drinking in town.	Setting, Characterization
You drank your health to the ladies all around,	He toasted other women but ignored her.	Irony, Flashback
And slighted Barbara Allan.”	She feels hurt by his past actions.	Characterization, Symbolism
“Oh yes, I remember the other day	He admits that he was drinking.	Admission of guilt, Dialogue
I was down in town a-drinking;	He acknowledges what he did.	Repetition, Reflection
I drank my health to the ladies all ’round,	He insists he still loved Barbara.	Contrast, Regret
But my love to Barbara Allan.”	He insists he still loved her.	Contrast, Regret
He turned his face to the wall;	He turns away from her, feeling rejected.	Symbolism (turning away = rejection)
She turned her back upon him;	She also turns away, refusing to comfort him.	Parallelism, Symbolism
The very last word she heard him say,	His last words call Barbara heartless.	Dramatic irony, Foreshadowing
“Hardhearted Barbara Allan.”	He dies, feeling abandoned by her.	Repetition (“Hardhearted Barbara Allan”)
As she passed on through London Town,	Barbara leaves the town and hears church bells.	Setting, Symbolism
She heard some bells a-ringing,	She thinks the bells are calling her heartless.	Personification (bells “saying” something)
And every bell, it seemed to say,	She hears the same message repeated by nature.	Repetition, Symbolism
“Hardhearted Barbara Allan.”	Birds also seem to accuse her of being cruel.	Personification (birds “speaking”)
She then passed on to the country road,	She walks further and sees his funeral procession.	Foreshadowing, Irony
And heard some birds a-singing;	She hears birds singing along her journey.	Narrative progression, Regret
And every bird it seemed to say,	She regrets rejecting William.	Reversal of emotions, Irony
“Hardhearted Barbara Allan.”	She now realizes her mistake.	Dialogue, Regret
She hadn’t got more than a mile from town	She sees his funeral approaching.	Climax, Symbolism
When she saw his corpse a-coming;	She sees his dead body.	Dramatic irony, Hyperbole
“O bring him here, and ease him down,	She asks them to stop so she can see him.	Dialogue, Climax
And let me look upon him.”	She realizes she regrets everything.	Symbolism, Foreshadowing
“Oh, take him away! Oh, take him away!	She is overwhelmed by guilt.	Tragic irony, Resolution
For I am sick and dying!	She suddenly feels weak and sick.	Irony, Symbolism
His death-cold features say to me,	She believes his dead face is accusing her.	Personification (“death-cold features”)
“Hardhearted Barbara Allan.”	She is haunted by his final words.	Repetition, Symbolism
“O Father, O Father, go dig my grave,	She asks her father to prepare her grave.	Dialogue, Climax
And dig it long and narrow;	She wants a grave next to William’s.	Symbolism, Foreshadowing
Sweet William died for me today;	She realizes he died because of love.	Tragic irony, Resolution
I’ll die for him tomorrow.”	She plans to die for love.	Irony, Symbolism
They buried them both in the old graveyard,	They are buried next to each other.	Resolution, Imagery
All side and side each other.	Their graves are placed side by side.	Imagery, Parallelism
A red, red rose grew out of his grave,	A red rose grows from his grave.	Symbolism (growth = unity in death)
And a green briar out of hers.	A green briar grows from hers.	Symbolism (rose = love, briar = pain)
They grew and grew so very high	The plants grow tall and strong.	Personification, Hyperbole
That they could grow no higher;	They keep growing together.	Imagery, Symbolism
They lapped, they tied in a truelove knot—	The plants intertwine, symbolizing love.	Symbolism (true love knot)
The rose ran ’round the briar.	Their love is united after death.	Metaphor (rose “running” around the briar)

---

Literary And Poetic Devices: “Bonny Barbara Allan” (Traditional Ballad)

Literary Device	Example from the Ballad	Explanation
Alliteration	“merry month of May”	Repetition of initial consonant sounds to create a musical effect.
Assonance	“Oh yes, I’m sick, and I’m very sick”	Repetition of vowel sounds within words to enhance rhythm.
Ballad Form	The entire poem follows a ballad form	A song-like narrative poem that tells a tragic love story.
Characterization	Sweet William and Barbara Allan are developed as characters	Their personalities are revealed through actions, speech, and emotions.
Climax	She realizes her mistake after his death	The peak of emotional intensity when Barbara regrets her rejection.
Contrast	Barbara rejecting William vs. their union in death	The stark difference between rejection and their posthumous reunion highlights the theme.
Dialogue	“Young man, you are a-dying.”	Direct speech between characters drives the plot and emotions.
Dramatic Irony	Barbara rejects William, unaware she will regret it	The audience knows something the character does not—her rejection will lead to sorrow.
Foreshadowing	William’s illness hints at his death	Hints or clues in the story predict future tragic events.
Hyperbole	“One sweet kiss from Barbara’s lips will save me”	An exaggerated statement to emphasize desperation and love.
Imagery	Description of the rose and briar growing together	Vivid sensory descriptions help the reader visualize the story.
Irony	William toasted other ladies but loved Barbara	A contrast between what is expected and what actually happens.
Metaphor	“The rose ran around the briar.”	A direct comparison where one thing represents another (rose = love, briar = sorrow).
Narrative Technique	The storytelling format using structured stanzas	The poem tells a story with a clear beginning, conflict, and resolution.
Parallelism	“He turned his face to the wall; she turned her back.”	A mirrored sentence structure that emphasizes contrast or emotion.
Personification	“Bells seemed to say Hardhearted Barbara Allan.”	Giving human qualities to non-human objects (bells ‘speaking’).
Repetition	Repeated use of “Hardhearted Barbara Allan”	Words or phrases are repeated to emphasize themes and emotions.
Resolution	The rose and briar intertwining at the end	The final outcome where love is reconciled in death.
Symbolism	“A red, red rose grew out of his grave.”	Objects (rose and briar) represent deeper meanings (love and regret).
Tragic Irony	Barbara realizing her mistake too late	A tragic realization that comes when it is already too late to change fate.

Themes: “Bonny Barbara Allan” (Traditional Ballad)

• Love and Rejection: One of the central themes of “Bonny Barbara Allan” is love and rejection, illustrated through the tragic relationship between Sweet William and Barbara Allan. William deeply loves Barbara and, on his deathbed, pleads for her affection, saying, “Oh yes, I’m sick, and I’m very sick, / And I think that death’s upon me; / But one sweet kiss from Barbara’s lips / Will save me from my dying.” However, Barbara coldly reminds him that he once slighted her in public, when he toasted other women while drinking but ignored her. This rejection becomes the turning point of the ballad, as William dies with the pain of unrequited love, and Barbara, despite her initial indifference, later realizes her true feelings too late. The theme highlights the emotional complexity of love—how pride, misunderstanding, and past wounds can lead to irreversible consequences. Love, in this ballad, is not only a source of passion but also a cause of suffering when not properly expressed or reciprocated.
• Regret and Guilt: Barbara Allan’s regret and guilt form a crucial theme in the poem. Initially, she appears indifferent to William’s suffering, reminding him of his past offense: “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.” This statement suggests that her rejection is an act of wounded pride, not true indifference. However, after William’s death, Barbara experiences profound remorse, shown through her reaction upon hearing the bells and birds repeating “Hardhearted Barbara Allan.” The repetition of this phrase reflects her internalized guilt, making her realize the weight of her actions. The ultimate expression of her regret comes when she asks her father to dig her grave beside William’s, saying, “Sweet William died for me today; / I’ll die for him tomorrow.” Her regret drives her to self-inflicted punishment, illustrating how delayed realization of love and remorse can lead to tragic endings.
• Fate and the Inevitability of Death: The ballad also explores the theme of fate and the inevitability of death. William’s illness and death appear predestined, as no actions—not even Barbara’s eventual sorrow—can change his fate. His plea for one sweet kiss to save him is ultimately futile, reinforcing the idea that once fate has taken its course, human intervention is powerless. The imagery of bells tolling and birds singing “Hardhearted Barbara Allan” suggests that external forces are bearing witness to the tragedy, emphasizing that his death was unavoidable. Furthermore, the ending, where Barbara follows William in death, reinforces the idea that their destinies are intertwined. The rose and briar that grow from their graves, symbolically entwining, reflect a fate that reunites them only in death, highlighting the ballad’s belief in the power of destiny over human will.
• The Power of Symbolism in Love and Death: Symbolism plays a vital role in conveying the theme of love and death in the ballad. The most powerful example is the red rose and green briar growing from the lovers’ graves: “A red, red rose grew out of his grave, / And a green briar out of hers. / 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 red rose symbolizes love, while the green briar represents sorrow and suffering. Their intertwining suggests that love, though denied in life, triumphs in death, emphasizing the ballad’s theme that true love transcends mortality. The poem repeatedly contrasts life and death, warmth and coldness, presence and absence, reinforcing how love remains a powerful force even beyond the grave. The use of nature as a symbol of fate and enduring love aligns with the traditional motifs of ballads, where natural elements reflect human emotions and relationships.

---

Literary Theories and “Bonny Barbara Allan” (Traditional Ballad)

Literary Theory	Application to “Bonny Barbara Allan”	Example from the Poem
Feminist Criticism	Examines Barbara Allan’s actions through the lens of gender roles and expectations. She initially rejects William, asserting independence, but later conforms to traditional notions of female devotion in death.	“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.”
Psychoanalytic Theory	Analyzes the subconscious motivations of both characters. Barbara’s rejection may stem from unresolved emotional wounds, while William’s desperate plea for love suggests a deep fear of abandonment.	“Hardhearted Barbara Allan.”
Reader-Response Theory	Focuses on how different readers interpret Barbara’s actions—some may see her as heartless, others as justified. The emotional impact of the ballad depends on the reader’s perspective.	“Sweet William died for me today; / I’ll die for him tomorrow.”
Structuralism	Explores the ballad’s narrative structure and use of repeated motifs (death, regret, love) to understand its deeper meaning. The ‘rose and briar’ symbolize reconciliation and unity, which fits structuralist patterns of binary oppositions.	“A red, red rose grew out of his grave, / And a green briar out of hers. / 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.”

Critical Questions about “Bonny Barbara Allan” (Traditional Ballad)

• Why does Barbara Allan reject Sweet William’s love, and how does this rejection shape the ballad’s tragedy?
• Barbara Allan’s rejection of Sweet William is central to the emotional impact of “Bonny Barbara Allan.” When William lies on his deathbed and calls for Barbara, she responds coldly, saying, “Young man, you are a-dying.” Her reaction suggests indifference or even cruelty, but her later words reveal a deeper reason—her wounded pride and past resentment. She reminds him of his past slight: “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.” This moment shows that Barbara’s rejection is not due to a lack of love but rather an emotional wound caused by William’s past actions. Her refusal to offer kindness in his final moments ultimately seals his fate and creates the ballad’s tragic irony—she only realizes her true feelings after he dies. This rejection sets the stage for Barbara’s deep regret, as she later acknowledges his love and follows him in death, making their union one of sorrow rather than joy. The ballad thus explores how pride and miscommunication can lead to irreversible loss, making Barbara’s rejection the heart of the tragedy.
• How does repetition function in the ballad, and what effect does it have on the reader?
• Repetition plays a crucial role in “Bonny Barbara Allan,” reinforcing key emotions and ideas. The phrase “Hardhearted Barbara Allan” appears multiple times, echoing in the tolling bells and singing birds: “She heard some bells a-ringing, / And every bell, it seemed to say, / ‘Hardhearted Barbara Allan.'” This repetition of external voices suggests that Barbara’s guilt is growing, as she perceives the natural world accusing her. The refrain not only heightens her remorse but also deepens the reader’s emotional response, emphasizing the weight of her decision. Another instance of repetition is found in the lovers’ deaths: “Sweet William died for me today; / I’ll die for him tomorrow.” The parallel phrasing of their fates underlines the consequences of their emotional choices—William dies for love, and Barbara dies for regret. Lastly, the final image of the rose and briar intertwining represents the culmination of their story, where love and sorrow finally merge: “They lapped, they tied in a truelove knot— / The rose ran ’round the briar.” The repetitive structure of the ballad, with its simple, musical refrains, reinforces the themes of love, regret, and fate, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.
• How does nature serve as a symbolic element in the ballad?
• Nature plays a powerful symbolic role in “Bonny Barbara Allan,” serving as both a witness to human emotions and a metaphor for love and loss. Throughout the ballad, natural imagery reflects Barbara’s emotional state and fate. When she walks away after William’s death, the world around her seems to pass judgment: “She heard some bells a-ringing, / And every bell, it seemed to say, / ‘Hardhearted Barbara Allan.’ / She then passed on to the country road, / And heard some birds a-singing; / And every bird it seemed to say, / ‘Hardhearted Barbara Allan.'” The bells and birds act as voices of fate, emphasizing her guilt and foreshadowing her own death. The most striking use of nature as a symbol comes at the end, when William and Barbara are buried side by side, and a red rose grows from his grave while a green briar grows from hers: “They lapped, they tied in a truelove knot— / The rose ran ’round the briar.” The red rose traditionally symbolizes love, while the green briar represents sorrow and regret. Their intertwining suggests that even though their love was unfulfilled in life, it finds unity in death. Through this natural imagery, the ballad conveys its central theme—love is eternal, even when denied in life, and nature itself acknowledges the weight of human emotions.
• How does the ballad portray the concept of fate and inevitability?
• “Bonny Barbara Allan” suggests that fate is inescapable, guiding both William and Barbara toward their tragic ends. From the beginning, William’s death feels predestined—his sickness is sudden and fatal, and even Barbara’s presence cannot save him. He himself acknowledges his fate when he tells her: “Oh yes, I’m sick, and I’m very sick, / And I think that death’s upon me.” His belief that only Barbara’s love can save him reflects a romanticized view of fate, where his life depends entirely on her actions. When she rejects him, the course of the story is set—William dies, and Barbara, despite her earlier coldness, is ultimately drawn to follow him. The tolling bells and singing birds repeating “Hardhearted Barbara Allan” reinforce the idea that fate has already judged her, pushing her toward her own death. The final image of the rose and briar growing together suggests an inevitable reunion beyond the grave, implying that even if fate separates lovers in life, it finds a way to bring them back together in death. The ballad thus portrays fate as both cruel and poetic, offering a tragic resolution that suggests some love stories are meant to end in sorrow but endure beyond mortality.

Literary Works Similar to “Bonny Barbara Allan” (Traditional Ballad)

1. “Lord Randal” (Traditional Ballad) → Similar in its tragic narrative and dialogue-driven structure, this ballad tells the story of a poisoned young man, much like Sweet William, who faces an untimely death due to betrayal.
2. “Edward, Edward” (Traditional Ballad) → Like “Bonny Barbara Allan,” this ballad features themes of remorse and guilt, as Edward confesses to a tragic crime, paralleling Barbara Allan’s late realization of her love.
3. “Barbara Frietchie” by John Greenleaf Whittier → This poem shares a strong female protagonist like Barbara Allan, whose actions (though patriotic rather than romantic) define the emotional weight of the narrative.
4. “The Twa Corbies” (Traditional Ballad) → Both ballads explore death and its consequences, but while “Bonny Barbara Allan” presents a tragic love story, “The Twa Corbies” takes a darker, more cynical approach to death and loss.
5. “The Unquiet Grave” (Traditional Ballad) → This poem also depicts love transcending death, as a grieving lover speaks to the ghost of their beloved, much like the symbolic intertwining of the rose and briar in “Bonny Barbara Allan.”

Representative Quotations of “Bonny Barbara Allan” (Traditional Ballad)

Quotation	Context	Theoretical Perspective
“Oh yes, I’m sick, and I’m very sick, / And I think that death’s upon me;”	Sweet William is on his deathbed and expresses his belief that he is about to die.	Psychoanalytic Theory – William’s fear of death is linked to his desperate plea for love.
“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.”	Barbara Allan recalls the moment when William publicly slighted her, justifying her rejection.	Feminist Criticism – Barbara’s rejection reflects her assertion of agency against male disregard.
“Young man, you are a-dying.”	Barbara coldly acknowledges William’s impending death instead of offering comfort.	Reader-Response Theory – Readers interpret Barbara’s tone as either justified or heartless.
“Hardhearted Barbara Allan.”	William’s final words before dying, accusing Barbara of being unfeeling and cruel.	Dramatic Irony – William’s last words contrast with Barbara’s later realization of love.
“She heard some bells a-ringing, / And every bell, it seemed to say, / ‘Hardhearted Barbara Allan.'”	As Barbara walks through town, she hears the bells seemingly condemning her heartlessness.	Structuralism – The bells act as symbols of fate and judgment, shaping Barbara’s guilt.
“She then passed on to the country road, / And heard some birds a-singing; / And every bird it seemed to say, / ‘Hardhearted Barbara Allan.'”	The birds, like the bells, echo the accusation of Barbara’s guilt, reinforcing her remorse.	Symbolism – Nature (birds) serves as an external voice for Barbara’s internal emotions.
“Sweet William died for me today; / I’ll die for him tomorrow.”	Barbara realizes her mistake too late and declares her intention to die after William.	Tragic Irony – Barbara acknowledges her love only after it’s too late.
“O Father, O Father, go dig my grave, / And dig it long and narrow;”	Barbara, overwhelmed with grief, asks her father to prepare her grave beside William’s.	Death and Fate – The act of grave-digging represents the finality of love and loss.
“A red, red rose grew out of his grave, / And a green briar out of hers.”	Symbolizing love and sorrow, the rose and briar emerge from their graves after death.	Romanticism – Nature symbolizes emotions, with the rose (love) and briar (sorrow).
“They lapped, they tied in a truelove knot— / The rose ran ’round the briar.”	The intertwining plants represent their eternal love, finally united in death.	Structuralism – The ‘truelove knot’ represents the resolution of the ballad’s oppositions.

---

Summary of Analysis

• Psychoanalytic Theory reveals the emotional fears and subconscious motivations of William and Barbara.
• Feminist Criticism highlights Barbara’s assertion of independence in rejecting William before conforming to traditional romantic tragedy.
• Reader-Response Theory suggests that audiences may interpret Barbara’s actions differently, shaping their view of her morality.
• Dramatic Irony and Tragic Irony emphasize Barbara’s late realization, making her regret more impactful.
• Structuralism and Symbolism analyze the role of natural elements (bells, birds, roses, and briars) in reflecting love, fate, and reconciliation.

Suggested Readings: “Bonny Barbara Allan” (Traditional Ballad)

1. Riley, Mary Athanasius. “Barbara Allen in Tradition and in Print.” (1957).
2. BRONSON, BERTRAND HARRIS. “Bonny Barbara Allan.” The Traditional Tunes of the Child Ballads, Volume 2, Princeton University Press, 1962, pp. 321–91. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt183pr9s.31. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
3. Niles, John Jacob, et al. “Bonny Barbara Allan (Child No. 84).” The Ballad Book of John Jacob Niles, University Press of Kentucky, 2000, pp. 202–06. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt130jnj1.41. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
4. BRONSON, BERTRAND HARRIS, editor. “BONNY BARBARA ALLAN.” The Singing Tradition of Child’s Popular Ballads. (Abridgement), Princeton University Press, 1976, pp. 221–28. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt13x0vsj.65. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
5. Leach, MacEdward. “Folksong and Ballad. A New Emphasis.” The Journal of American Folklore, vol. 70, no. 277, 1957, pp. 205–07. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/538317. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.