johnbarleycorn:aballad therewasthreekingsintotheeast, threekingsbothgreatandhigh, andtheyhaeswornasolemnoath johnbarleycornshoulddie. theytookaploughandplough'dhimdown, putclodsuponhishead, andtheyhaeswornasolemnoath johnbarleycornwasdead. butthecheerfulspringcamekindlyon, andshow'rsbegantofall johnbarleycorngotupagain, andsoresurpris'dthemall. thesurysunsofsummercame, andhegrewthickandstrong hisheadweelarm'dwi'pointedspears, thatnooneshouldhimwrong. thesoberautumnenter'dmild, whenhegrewwanandpale hisbendingjointsanddroopinghead show'dhebegantofail. hiscoloursicken'dmoreandmore, hefadedintoage andthenhisenemiesbegan toshowtheirdeadlyrage. they'vetaenaweapon,longandsharp, andcuthimbytheknee thentiedhimfastuponacart, likearogueforforgerie. theylaidhimdownuponhisback, andcudgell'dhimfullsore theyhunghimupbeforethestorm, andturnedhimo'erando'er. theyfilledupadarksomepit withwatertothebrim theyheavedinjohnbarleycorn, therelethimsinkorswim. theylaidhimoutuponthefloor, toworkhimfartherwoe andstill,assignsoflifeappear'd, theytoss'dhimtoandfro. theywasted,o'erascorchingflame, themarrowofhisbones butamillerus'dhimworstofall, forhecrush'dhimbetweentwostones. andtheyhaetaenhisveryheart'sblood, anddrankitroundandround andstilhemoreandmoretheydrank, theirjoydidmoreabound. johnbarleycornwasaherobold, ofnobleenterprise forifyoudobuttastehisblood, 'twillmakeyourcouragerise. 'twillmakeamanforgethiswoe 'twillheightenallhisjoy 'twillmakethewidow'shearttosing, tho'thetearwereinhereye. thenletustoastjohnbarleycorn, eachmanaglassinhand andmayhisgreatposterity ne'erfailinoldscotland!