There is a tendency to read all kind of mystical significance into some of the older songs - if it was ever there it has been irretrievably lost; pity.
We recorded a nice version from an elderly farmer in the west of Ireland, the last verse of which sums up all the indignities John Barlycorn (in this case The Barley Grain) has to undergo, then finally ends up being 'pissed against the wall' - nicely down-to-earth, so to speak.
For real flights of fancy, try following up The Lake of Coolfinn, with its magic islands and mermaids.
Jim Carroll