Blue-John Barleycorn
[incorporating phrases found in early incarnations of John Barleycorn, the first being Allan-a-Maut from before 1568]
There came three knights out of the north,
their victory to try,
and they did make a solemn vow
that Barleycorn should die.
They ploughed him down, and harrowed him in,
and burst clods on his head.
A joyful banquet then was made,
when Barleycorn was dead.
He rested still within the earth,
till he felt warm raindrops fall,
then young, and clad in green, he rose,
which sore amazed them all.
Midsummer brought men with whetted hooks;
holly flails flicked flesh from his bones.
Like rooks from hell, they blinded him,
and ground him ’tween two stones.
But Barleycorn will exact revenge,
when he comes with mickle might,
to take their tongues away,
their legs, or else their sight.
His blood remains in an earthen bowl,
for it makes the merriest man,
and he will doubtless cause those fools to drink
till they can neither go nor stand.
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