Hey John Barleycorn

John Barleycorn is a hero bold as any in the land His fame has stood for ages good and shall forever stand The whole wide world respects him no matter friend or foe And where they be that make too free he's sure to lay them low Hey John Barleycorn Ho John Barleycorn Old and young, thy praises sung John Barleycorn To see him in his pride of growth his robes are rich and green His head is speared with goodly beard fit nigh to serve a queen And when the harvest time comes 'round and John is stricken down He'll use his blood for England's good and Englishmens' renown Hey John Barleycorn Ho John Barleycorn Old and young, thy praises sung John Barleycorn The lord in courtly castle, the squire in stately hall The great of name, of birth and fame on John for succour call He bids the troubled heart rejoice, gives warmth to nature's cold Makes weak men strong, makes old men young, and all men brave and bold Hey John Barleycorn Ho John Barleycorn Old and young, thy praises sung John Barleycorn Now shout for great John Barleycorn, ne'er heed the luscious vine I have no mind much charm to find in a potent glass of wine Give me my native nut-brown ale, all other drinks I'll scorn For English cheer is English beer, our own John Barleycorn Hey John Barleycorn Ho John Barleycorn Old and young, thy praises sung John Barleycorn Hey John Barleycorn Ho John Barleycorn Old and young, thy praises sung John Barleycorn