Well done, Wolfgang ...

J - John Barleycorn
John Barleycorn appeared in the Journal of Folk Song Society Volume VIII, 41. It was printed in the reign of James I but is said to be much older. There were several 17th century broadsides of the song (see Bruce Olsen's Scarce Songs "Sir John Barleycorn"). It was well-known throughout England. Variants from Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey, Somerset and Wiltshire were published in the Journal of Folk Song Society.

greg
You're on the right track ... the title needn't be much to do with the plot though! (also it's not in DT which makes things more difficult).

:-)