John Barleycorn
The traditional song John Barleycorn has been performed and recorded many times by, among others, Martin Carthy, The Watersons, and Traffic. It exists in many variants from at least the seventeenth century. The words reprinted here are those sung by Carthy. The song has been interpreted on many different levels and at its' simplest is an accout of drinking and its' unwelcome consequences. It is perhaps telling that the writer Jack London gave his alcoholic memoirs the same title.
Others have attributed symbolic and mythological significance to the song, and regard the John Barleycorn figure as the personification of the grain barley and its'embodiment in alcohol. The process of transformation contains intimations of fertility, death and resurrection. It has even been suggested that the character represents the Anglo Saxon figure Beowa. Whatever the truth of its' origins and meaning it remains a compelling song.
The painting on the front of the card is by Flemish artist Adriaen Brouwer, and was completed in 1624.
Others have attributed symbolic and mythogical significance to the song, and regard the John Barleycorn figure as a personification of the grain barley and its’ embodiment in alcohol. The process of transformation contains intimations of fertility, death and resurrection. It has even been suggested that the character represents the Anglo-saxon pagan figure Beowa. Waterever the truth of its’ origins and meaning it remains a compelling song.
