1: There were three kings into the East,
Three kings both great and high,
And they have sworn a solemn oath,
John Barleycorn must die.

2: So they took a plough, they ploughed him down,
Put clods upon his head,
And then they swore a solemn oath,
John Barleycorn was dead.

Chorus:
O ho John Barley,
O John Barleycorn,
They would cut the heart from a dying man,
To hear John Barley groan.

3: In the Spring it entered mild,
And showers began to fall;
John Barleycorn got up again,
And he sore surprised them all.

4: And when the summer entered warm,
And he grew strong and tall;
His head grew long wi pointed spears,
No one could do him wrong.

Chorus:
O ho John Barley,
O John Barleycorn,
They would cut the heart from a dying man,
To hear John Barley groan.

5: And then then October entered mild,
And he grew wan and pale;
His bendy head and drooping joints,
So he began to fail.

6: His colour sickened more and more,
As he grew in to age;
And then his enemies began
To show their deadly rage.

7: For they took a weapon long and sharp,
And cut him by the knee;
They tied him fast upon a cart,
Like some rogue for forgery.

8: They laid him out upon the floor,
To work him for their woe;
And as the signs of life appeared,
They tossed him too and fro.

9: They filled up a deep and darksome pit,
With water to the brim;
They heaved in poor John Barley,
To let him sink or swim.

10: They roasted o’er a roaring fire,
The marrow from his bones;
But the miller used him worst of all,
For he crushed him atween two stones.

11: And then they took his very heart’s blood,
And drank it round and round;
And as it more and more they drank,
Their joy did more abound.

12: John Barleycorn is a noble man,
Of gentle enterprise;
And if you do but taste his blood,
Will make your courage rise.

13: It will make a man forget his woes,
Will raise all his joys;
Will make the widow’s heart to sing,
Though tears be in her eyes.

14: So here’s to dear John Barley,
Each man a glass in hand;
And may his great prosperity,
Never fail in all Scotland.

Chorus:
O ho John Barley,
O John Barleycorn,
They would cut the heart from a dying man,
To hear John Barley groan.