PAEAN

There were three men came from the East
Their fortunes for to try.
And they had sworn a solemn oath
John Barleycorn must die.
They took a plow and plowed him in,
Put logs upon his head.
And these three men made a solemn vow
John Barleycorn was dead.

(chorus) With me right fallery faddle-diddle-dee,
With me right fallery-o,
With me right fallery faddle-diddle-dee,
With me right fallery-o,

But the cheerful Spring came kindly on
And showers began to fall.
John Barleycorn got up again,
And so surprised them all.
The sultry suns of summer came
And he grew both thick and strong.
His head one hundred pointed spears
That no one should do him wrong.

(chorus)

They'd taken a weapon long and sharp
And cut him by the knees.
They tied him fast upon a cot
Like a rouge for forgery.
The laid him down upon his back,
And cudgeled him, poor soul.
They hung him up before the store
And they turned him o'er and o'er.

(chorus)

They fill'ed up a darksome pit
With water to the brim.
They heav'ed in John Barleycorn
Then let him sink or swim.
They wasted o'er a scorching flame
The marrow of his bones.
But the Miller used him worst of all
For he crushed him between two stones.

(chorus)

John Barleycorn was a hero both
Of noble and surprise,
For if you do but taste his blood,
'Twill make your courage rise.
Then let us toast John Barleycorn,
Each one a glass in hand.
And may his great prosperity
Never fail in old Scotland.

(chorus twice)