JOHN BARLEYCORN

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Song Title
JOHN BARLEYCORN
Writers
Peter Bellamy, Royston Wood, Heather Wood
Publisher
TOTAL MUSIC SERVICES, INC. (BMI)
% Publisher Controls
100%
Territory Controlled
USA
Themes/Keywords
Barley, dead, Die, Farming, Grain, King, Oath, Victory
Lyrics
There were three kings come from the West
And victory to try,
And they have taken a solemn oath,
John Barleycorn shall die.
Fol and dol and didyay,
Fol and dol and diddyi, go on.

They took a plough and they ploughed him in,
Put clots upon his head,
And they have taken a solemn oath,
John Barleycorn was dead.
Fol and dol and didyay,
Fol and dol and diddyi, go on.

They let him lie for a full fortnight,
Till dew on him they found,
And Barleycorn sprung up again,
And that amazed them all.
Fol and dol and didyay,
Fol and dol and diddyi, go on.

They let him stand ‘til midsummer day,
‘Til he looked both pale and wan,
And Barleycorn is grown a beard,
And so became a man.
Fol and dol and diddyay,
Fol and dol and diddyiy, go on.

Then they sent men with scythes so sharp,
To cut him off at knee,
And then poor Johnny Barleycorn,
They serve him barbarously.
Fol and dol and diddyay,
Fol and dol and diddyiy, go on.

Oh, barley corn is the choicest grain,
That ever was grown on land,
It will do more than any grain,
By the turning of your hand.
Fol and dol and diddyay,
Fol and dol and diddyiy, go on.

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