Below is a version of John Barleycorn as recorded by John Langstaff in 1956 and then latterly by David Coffin on his "Last Trip Home" cd.

Now it says it was collected by Cecil Sharp in 1906...but I can't find from whom....Can anyone tell me - or is it a mishmash of versions that was possibly published by Sharp...??

Thanks - Tim Radford

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John Barleycorn – but from whom?

There were three kings come from the west their victory to try
And they had taken a solemn oath John Barleycorn should die

-        Fol the dol the diddy a, Fol the dol the diddy aga wha….

The took a plough and ploughed him in laid clods upon his head
And they have taken a solemn oath John Barleycorn is dead

So there he lay for a full fortnight till the dew on him did fall
Then Barleycorn sprung up again and that surprised them all

There he remained till midsummer and looked both pale and wan
Then Barleycorn he got a beard and so became a man

Then they sent men with scythes so sharp to cut him off at knee
And then poor Johnny Barleycorn they served him barbarously

Oh Barleycorn is the choicest grain that e’er was sown on land
It will do more than any grain by the turning of your hand