John Barleycorn 'Two Brothers' version

Subject: RE: John Barleycorn 'Two Brothers' version
From: GUEST,Doug Olsen
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 08:00 PM

Here's the tune in abc. I should note that following each verse is a Fol a rol chorus, which I didn't include above. So the entire first verse is:

There were two brothers stood on a hill
As might stand you and I
And between them there arose a dipute
John Barleycorn should die
Fol a rol a riddy-eye | Fol a rol a riddy how die.

Sound familiar to anyone?

X:1
T:John Barleycorn Two Brothers        
C:Trad.
M:C
L:1/4
K:G
E | B B c B/2A/2 | G A/2A/2 B E | B B c d | E3 E/2E/2 | B B c B/2A/2 | G E/2E/2 F A | A3/2 A/2 G E | D4 |
E3/2 D/2 E3/2 F/2 | G/2G/2 E3 | c3/2 B/2 A3/2 G |
M:6/4
G/2G/2 F E3 ||

Subject: RE: John Barleycorn 'Two Brothers' version
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Jun 10 - 04:19 PM

So I found someone selling "HindSight" and have now been able to check out their JB. More or less the words I know, but a different tune. Their tune is one I heard on a field recording that Jean Ritchie made in the 50's (I believe) -- except that unlike the field recording, CB&S don't pound the table in outrage at the treatment afforded Mr Barleycorn even tho "he done no one no harm!"

I'll get the melody into ABC and post it here as soon as I figure out how.....

doug

Subject: RE: John Barleycorn 'Two Brothers' version
From: The Doctor
Date: 19 May 10 - 09:28 AM

Coope, Boyes and Simpson recorded this version on 'Hindsight'.

Subject: RE: John Barleycorn 'Two Brothers' version
From: Richard Spencer
Date: 19 May 10 - 03:47 AM

It is the version they sing in Lincolnshire around the time of the Haxey Hood "game"
Here are the words as I got them, though I sing them a bit differently now.

Now there were two brothers on yonder hill
As it might be you or I
And betwixt these brothers these arose a dispute
That John Barleycorn should die
That John Barleycorn should die

So they buried him under yonder hill so high
And they threw soil over his head
And there he lay a considerable time
Till they thought him almost dead

He lay there till spring time of the year
Till the rain from heaven did fall
And then St John how he plucked up his head
And that surprised them all

He lay there till midsummer time of the year
Till the weather was pleasant and warm
And then St John how he grew a beard
And he soon became a man

Then they hired men with their scythes so sharp
And they cut him down to the ground
And how they used poor Barleycorn
For they tied him fast in a sheaf

Then they hired men with their forks so sharp
And they pricked him down to the heart
And how they used poor Barleycorn
For their bound him fast to a cart

Then they wheeled him round and round again
Till they wheeled him to a barn
And there they made a mould of him
And with that they though no harm

They they hired men with flails so strong
And they flicked flesh from his bones
But the miller he used him ten times worse
For he ground him between two stones

You can put red wine into glasses
Put brandy into a can
You can put St John in a nut brown jug
And he'll make the merriest man

He'll make a maid dance around this room
Stark naked as ever she was born
He'll make the parson pawn his books
And a farmer burn his corn

He'll turn your gold into silver
Your silver into brass
He'll make a man become a fool
And a fool become an ass

Subject: John Barleycorn 'Two Brothers' version
From: GUEST,Doug Olsen
Date: 18 May 10 - 06:40 PM

About 35 years ago I learned a version of John Barleycorn that begins
"There were two brothers stood on a hill
As might stand you and I
And between them there arose a dipute
John Barleycorn should die"

It's occurred to me that I've never heard it from anyone else. Has anyone come across it? Sources and further information heartily desired. Thanks.

Doug Olsen
Oak Ash & Thorn