☝️ Key Points
- The song talks about unrequited love and loss.
- It portrays the strong feelings of the protagonists.
- The protagonist is willing to die for their love.
- The growing rose and the thorns symbolize their eternal love for each other.
Interpretation
"Barbara Allen" is a traditional folk song that has been interpreted in different versions by different artists. The version by
Eddy Arnold tells the story of Barbara Allen, a young girl who lives in the town of Scarlet Town. All the young men are in love with her and call out to her.
One day, William, a young man, is dying and sends his servant to fetch Barbara to bring her to him. Barbara slowly comes to him and tells him that she thinks he is dying. William confesses his love to her and says that he cannot get well without her.
After saying goodbye to William, Barbara hears the church bells ringing on her way home, as if they are telling her how difficult it is for Barbara Allen. She asks her father to dig her a long and narrow grave, as William has died for her and she wants to die for him.
At the end of the song, a rose grows on Barbara's grave and thorns on William's grave. They grow around a true lover's knot and symbolize their eternal love for each other.
The lyrics of the song "Barbara Allen" tell of unrequited love, loss, and death. They show how strong the feelings of the protagonists are and how willing they are to die for their love."