(The Bastard) John Barleycorn
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Three enterprising women with murder on their minds
A devious plan devised
With cold black hearts each did her part
For John Barleycorn's demise (hup!)
They turned that bastard into ale both amber-brown and stout
Then ground him up and boiled his bones, so pass the cup about
And then they stirred in bitter herbs, and when his blood ran clear
They turned that bastard Barleycorn to a tankard full of beer
The first of the three with scythe in hand
John Barleycorn dispatched
She skinned him clean and dried his bones
A most barbaric act (hup!)
They turned that bastard into ale both amber-brown and stout
Then ground him up and boiled his bones, so pass the cup about
And then they stirred in bitter herbs, and when his blood ran clear
They turned that bastard Barleycorn to a tankard full of beer
The second lass gathered up poor John
And placed him 'tween two stones
With no remorse she stayed her course
And ground up poor John's bones (hup!)
They turned that bastard into ale both amber-brown and stout
Then ground him up and boiled his bones, so pass the cup about
And then they stirred in bitter herbs, and when his blood ran clear
They turned that bastard Barleycorn to a tankard full of beer
The last of the women gathered up his remains
And made with them a stew
With water and herbs the pot she stirred
And turned him into brew (hup!)
They turned that bastard into ale both amber-brown and stout
Then ground him up and boiled his bones, so pass the cup about
And then they stirred in bitter herbs, and when his blood ran clear
They turned that bastard Barleycorn to a tankard full of beer
A fortnight passed 'fore John saw his last
The women gathered again
And now this host raises cups in toast
To John Barleycorn's remains (hup!)
They turned that bastard into ale both amber-brown and stout
Then ground him up and boiled his bones, so pass the cup about
And then they stirred in bitter herbs, and when his blood ran clear
They turned that bastard Barleycorn to a tankard full of beer
They turned that bastard Barleycorn to a tankard full of beer (hup!)