John Barleycorn
Traffic
Traffic
TRAFFIC
- John Barleycorn LyricsSongwriters: Traditional; Winwood, Steve;
There were three men came out of the west
Their fortunes for to try
And these three men made a solemn vow
John Barleycorn must die
They've ploughed, they've sown, they've harrowed him in
Threw clouds upon his head
And these three men made a solemn vow
John Barleycorn was dead
They've let him lie for a very long time
Till the rains from heaven did fall
And little Sir John sprung up his head
And so amazed them all
They've let him stand till midsummer's day
Till he looked both pale and wan
And little Sir John's grown a long, long beard
And so become a man
They've hired men with the scythes so sharp
To cut him off at the knee
They've rolled him and tied him by the waist
Serving him most barbarously
They've hired men with the sharp pitchforks
Who pricked him to the heart
And the loader he has served him worse than that
For he's bound him to the cart
They've wheeled him around and around the field
Till they came unto a barn
And there they made a solemn oath
On poor John Barleycorn
They've hired men with the crab-tree sticks
To cut his skin from bone
And the miller he has served him worse than that
For he's ground him between two stones
And little Sir John and the nut-brown bowl
And he's brandy in the glass
And little Sir John and the nut-brown bowl
Proved the strongest man at last
The huntsman, he can't hunt the fox
Nor so loudly to blow his horn
And the tinker he can't mend kettle nor pot
Without a little Barleycorn
There were three men came out of the west
Their fortunes for to try
And these three men made a solemn vow
John Barleycorn must die
They've ploughed, they've sown, they've harrowed him in
Threw clouds upon his head
And these three men made a solemn vow
John Barleycorn was dead
They've let him lie for a very long time
Till the rains from heaven did fall
And little Sir John sprung up his head
And so amazed them all
They've let him stand till midsummer's day
Till he looked both pale and wan
And little Sir John's grown a long, long beard
And so become a man
They've hired men with the scythes so sharp
To cut him off at the knee
They've rolled him and tied him by the waist
Serving him most barbarously
Who pricked him to the heart
And the loader he has served him worse than that
For he's bound him to the cart
They've wheeled him around and around the field
Till they came unto a barn
And there they made a solemn oath
On poor John Barleycorn
They've hired men with the crab-tree sticks
To cut his skin from bone
And the miller he has served him worse than that
For he's ground him between two stones
And little Sir John and the nut-brown bowl
And he's brandy in the glass
And little Sir John and the nut-brown bowl
Proved the strongest man at last
The huntsman, he can't hunt the fox
Nor so loudly to blow his horn
And the tinker he can't mend kettle nor pot
Without a little Barleycorn
Facts about John Barleycorn
✔️
John Barleycorn is written by Steve Winwood.
✔️
It is first released on July 01, 1970 as part of Traffic's album "John Barleycorn Must Die" which includes 8 tracks in total.
✔️
When we consider what the writer meant by those haunting lines, Traffic's John Barleycorn tells of a barley grain's life cycle from planting through growing, harvesting, and making spirits. The metaphors of John Barleycorn's death and resurrection represent the process of alcohol production, thus showing its cultural and social importance. The lyrics of John barleycorn mainly feature nature, meditation, longing for the past, social critique, and happiness. Equally, the song brings out the paradox of destruction and resurrection, metamorphosis, suffering and exploitation, and celebrating john barleycorn. The song has scenes of violence and cruel treatment meted out to John Barleycorn, which might be disturbing to kids. Besides, the themes of drinking and partying with its effects might be classified as adult content.
✔️
John Barleycorn falls under the genre Rock.
✔️
John Barleycorn song length is 6 minutes and 27 seconds.
Who wrote John Barleycorn lyrics?
John Barleycorn is written by Steve Winwood.
✔️
When was John Barleycorn released?
It is first released on July 01, 1970 as part of Traffic's album "John Barleycorn Must Die" which includes 8 tracks in total.
✔️
What is the meaning behind John Barleycorn lyrics?
When we consider what the writer meant by those haunting lines, Traffic's John Barleycorn tells of a barley grain's life cycle from planting through growing, harvesting, and making spirits. The metaphors of John Barleycorn's death and resurrection represent the process of alcohol production, thus showing its cultural and social importance. The lyrics of John barleycorn mainly feature nature, meditation, longing for the past, social critique, and happiness. Equally, the song brings out the paradox of destruction and resurrection, metamorphosis, suffering and exploitation, and celebrating john barleycorn. The song has scenes of violence and cruel treatment meted out to John Barleycorn, which might be disturbing to kids. Besides, the themes of drinking and partying with its effects might be classified as adult content.
✔️
Which genre is John Barleycorn?
John Barleycorn falls under the genre Rock.
✔️
How long is the song John Barleycorn?
John Barleycorn song length is 6 minutes and 27 seconds.
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these lyrics are last corrected by Tirolinda
Songwriter(s): Steve Winwood
Record Label(s): 2001 Universal Island Records Ltd
Official lyrics by
