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LB 2: Barbary Allen

BARBARA ALLEN

Hi everyone, this week I would like to recommend Barbary Allen. This ballad is different from the usual music with a single female voice, but it is not a cappella. This is the part that surprised me as soon as I heard it. I would classify it as classical music and imagine that classical strings could be used to accompany it. With the lyrics, I stopped feeling that this is a sad story. When I was immersed in it, especially when the roses grew on the graves of William and Barbary Allen at the end of the song, I felt the power of regret that two people who loved each other couldn't be together because of class. To be honest, the authenticity of this rose cannot be understood, but it is a symbol of their love, and I am willing to believe this poignant love story. In this song, my favorite part is the cycle of each person's name, on the one hand echoing the song title, on the other hand, it plays a role of emphasis. Jean Ritchie's voice as a singer is also very unique. Although there are ups and downs, you can still hear the sad atmosphere, which is one of the reasons why I can immerse myself in it.

Comments

  1. braydenJanuary 23, 2022 at 5:48 PM

    Hi Shihui. Barbary Allen a good song choice. Once I read your post I went back and listened to the song and I also got a feeling that it wasn’t as sad of a song as it leads out to be. I don’t know if you are into country music at all but there is a song called Whiskey Lullaby by Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss that reminds me of Barbary Allen.

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  2. LoganJanuary 23, 2022 at 8:59 PM

    Hello Shihui! I found it interesting that you found the song to not be as sad as originally stated. I do somewhat agree with you on this, but it does seem to be a sad exchange of events that in the end has a silver lining that brightens the mood.

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  3. Brooke FausettJanuary 24, 2022 at 7:08 AM

    Aye Shihui! I actually laughed when I saw your song choice. It is a great song, but I have to admit that I felt rather comical when we listened to it in class. It is a sad song, but the frequent dramatic pauses definitely caught me off guard. Other than that, I would have to agree with you on the comments regarding her voice. Unique and so dissimilar to the female leads we hear today.

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