John Barleycorn
View chords used in this chart
[Verso 1]
D A D
There come three men out of Kent me boys
G D A
For to plow for the wheat and rye
G D Bm D
And these three men made a solemn vow.
D Em A
John Barleycorn must die.
[Verso 2]
D A D
So They plowed and they sowed and they harrowed him in
G D A
and they sowed rye oer his head.
G D Bm D
And these three men home rejoicing went
D Em A
John Barleycorn was dead
[Verso 3]
D A D
But The sun shone bright and the wind blew soft
G D A
And it rained in a day or so
G D Bm D
John Barleycorn felt the wind and the rain
D Em A
and he soon began to grow
[Verso 4]
D A D
But the rye began to grow as well
G D A
And the rye grew slow and tall
G D Bm D
John Barleycorn grew quick and short
D Em A
And he proved them liars all
[Verso 5]
D A D
So they hired men with sickles
G D A
To cut him off at the knee
G D Bm D
But the worst of all John Barleycorn
D Em A
They served him barbarously
[Verso 6]
D A D
For they hired men with pikels
G D A
To toss him onto a log
G D Bm D
And when they tossed John Barleycorn
D Em A
They tied him down with cord
[Verso 7]
D A D
And they hired men with threshels
G D A
To beat him high and low
G D Bm D
They come smicka-smack upon poor Jacks back
D Em A
Till the flesh began to flow
[Verso 8]
D A D
Then.. they put him into the kiln me boys
G D A
Thinking to dry his bones
G D Bm D
And when he come out John Barleycorn
D Em A
They crushed him between 2 stones
[Verso 9]
D A D
And they put him into the mashing tub
G D A
Thinking to burn his tail
G D Bm D
And when he come out they changed his name
D Em A
And they called him home brewed ale
D A D
So put your wine into glasses
G D A
And your cider in pewter cans
G D Bm D
Put John Barleycorn in the old brown jug
D Em A
Cuz he proved the strongest man
D A D
The ripe old air fuddle duddle aye
G D A
To the ripe old airy o
G D Bm D
The ripe old air fuddle duddle aye
D Em A
To the ripe old airy o
How to play John Barleycorn
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is D. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.