|
There were three farmers in the north, as they were passing by |
|
They swore an oath so mighty oh that Barleycorn should die |
|
One of them said: drown him and the other: hang him high |
|
For whoever will stick to Barleycorn a-begging he will die |
|
They put poor Barley into a sack an a cold and rainy day |
|
And took him out to cornfields and buried him in the clay |
|
Frost and snow began to melt and dew began to fall |
|
When Barleygrain put up his head and he soon surprised them all |
|
The Barleygrain is a comical grain, it makes men sigh and moan |
|
For when they drink a glass or two they forget their wives and home |
|
The drunkard is a dirty man, he used me worst of all |
|
He drank me up in his dirty mouth an he tumbled against the wall |