We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Jack Barleycorn

from Traces by Chris Foster

/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      £1 GBP  or more

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

about

I was given this by Jumbo Brightwell from Suffolk. He was a superb traditional singer and a lovely man.

lyrics

Jack Barleycorn was an Indian weed
and the farmer he lived close by.
He made a vow and a solemn vow,
Jack Barleycorn should die.
Aye poor boy, Jack Barleycorn should die.

They let him lay for a shower of rain.
A shower of rain did fall.
Jack Barleycorn jumped out of the ground
and he so surprised them all.
Aye poor boy, he so surprised them all.

And they let him lay ‘til the mid-summer,
to wrangle out tall and thin.
And then Jack Barleycorn grew a long beard
and he so became a man.
Aye poor boy, he so became a man.

They hired men with scythes all in,
to cut him at his ease.
And this they served Jack Barleycorn.
They cut him below his knees.
Aye poor boy, they cut him below his knees.

And they drove him up and down the field.
They thought it would do him no harm.
And then they took Jack Barleycorn
and put him into a barn.
Aye poor boy, they put him into a barn.

And they hired men with cudgels too
and they laid him upon a stone.
Swish swosh the cudgels flew
and the flesh flew from his bones.
Aye poor boy, the flesh flew from his bones.

And then they put him into a sack
and they tied it up with a string.
But the miller he served him worst of the lot,
for he ground him between two stones.
Aye poor boy, he ground him between two stones.

And then they put him into a kiln
and they thought about roasting him there.
But Jack Barleycorn jumped out of the tub
and he soon became strong beer.
Aye poor boy, he soon became strong beer.

You can put wine into a glass
and you can put cider into a can.
But old Jack Barleycorn in a brown jug
‘ll prove out the strongest one.
Aye poor boy, he’ll prove out the strongest one.

So let anybody be strong as they will.
As I’ve oft’ told you before,
if you take too much of Jack Barleycorn
he’ll put you onto the floor.
Aye poor boy, he’ll put you onto the floor

credits

from Traces, track released January 1, 1999
Chris Foster - vocal.

Arranged and produced by Chris Foster. Recorded by Ken Macpherson at Track Station Recording, Burton upon Trent.

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Chris Foster image

Chris Foster Reykjavik, Iceland

Chris Foster grew up in the south west of England. A master of his trade, he was recently described as “one of the finest singers and most inventive guitar accompanists of English folk songs, meriting legend status.” Over the past 40 years, he has toured throughout the UK, Europe, Canada and the USA. He has recorded six solo albums as well as working on many collaborative projects. ... more

contact / help

Contact Chris Foster

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Report this track or account

Chris Foster recommends:

If you like Chris Foster, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Beans joins the show to discuss his album release, "ZWAARD".

listen now