1.There were three men coming out of the west



their fortunes for to try



and these three men made a solemn vow



John Barleycorn should die.

They ploughed him in

they harrowed him in



threw clods all over his head.

And these three men they swore and vowed:

John Barleycorn was dead.



2. They let him lie for a very long time



till rain from heaven did fall.

And little Sir John sprung up his head

and so amazed them all.

They let him stand till midsummer's day



he looked both pale and wan.

And little Sir John's grown a long long beard

and so became a man.



3. They hired men with the scythes so sharp

to cut him off at knee.

They rolled him and tied him 'round the waist

and served him barbarously.

Then they sent men with pitchforks strong

to pierce him through the heart.

And the loader served him worse than that

for he's bound him to a cart.



4. They hired men with crab-tree sticks

to cut him skin from bone



the miller served him worse than that

and ground him between two stones.

And little Sir John and the dark brown bowl

and he's brandy in the glass



and little Sir John and the dark brown bowl

grew the strongest man at last.