John Barleycorn

Conductor Notes:

from Folk Songs of the Four Seasons

Text:

There came three men from out the West
Their victory to try,
And they have taken a solemn oath
John Barleycorn should die

Chorus:

Sing right fol lol the diddle al the dee,
Right fol lee ro dee.
They took a plough and ploughed him in,
Laid clods upon his head:
And they have taken a solemn oath
John Barleycorn is dead.

So then he lay for three long weeks
Till the dew from heaven did fall:
John Barleycorn sprang up again
And that surprised them all.
There he remained till midsummer
And looked both pale and wan,
For all he had a spiky beard
To shew he was a man.

But soon came men with their sharp scythes
And chopped him to the knee,
They rolled and tied him by the waist
And served him barbarously.
We’ll tip white wine into a glass
And scarlet into a can,
John Barleycorn and his brown bowl
Shall prove the better man.