John Barleycorn Must Die (traditional)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ก.ย. 2024
- John Barleycorn is the personification of the barley crop which was used in the making of beer and whiskey. The process is described through the many tortures inflicted on the body of JB. At the end of the song you should be able to make your own home brew! We learned this song from Traffic.
First heard this at the Banks Peninsula Folk Club in Bedford Row, Christchurch, New Zealand in 1973. A great and tragic story but a gift to drinkers and millers.
Good to hear from you. Do you still live in New Zealand?
Only a few seconds in and this is already outstanding.
Thanks Greg! Hope it continued to be good right to the end! Thanks so much for listening! P&R
@@pelicanpen It did. Thank you for sharing!
Very nice! We really enjoyed it. Thank you for posting.
Thanks for taking the time to respond. We really appreciate your feedback.
Yeah, rock on! Do a little bit of Lindisfarne, if you would, please...❤
We will look into your suggestion! Thanks!!!
An excellent rendition of, as you have rightly and truthfully acknowledged. Traffic's version of the song. Beautiful voices and great pickin', mates!
Thanks Gil. It is a fabulous song.... such a good story which you can visualise like a movie as you sing it. Traffic did it proud indeed!
I've heard this song done by Folk Rock group Steeleye Span - the lyrics and melody are similar, but the overall impression is very different!
We learned it from Traffic. Can't bring Steeleye's version to mind but I know that there are a couple of tunes
@@pelicanpen - thanks for the response. My ex-wife got me into Steeleye Span, so that's how I know this version - th-cam.com/video/5er7O5Bzd9I/w-d-xo.html
@@timeliebe of course! Remember the version perfectly now. Such a different tune! We even have that album (vinyl) still. Fortunate to have seen Syeeleye play in Sydney years ago
@@pelicanpen - when we were first dating, my ex took me to see Steeleye Span play. I'd already heard her cassettes (yeah, that's how long ago it was!), but seeing them in person was amazing. She (my ex-wife) got up and danced in the aisles, as did Maddy Prior and a number of other people at one point....
I'm not surprised that for a while they were being produced by Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson, and Prior sung backup on TOO OLD TO ROCK 'N' ROLL: TOO YOUNG TO DIE!
@@timeliebe Rog and I did the sound for one of Steeleye's support bands at Sydney Town Hall. Then the Bushwhackers did a bush dance and I got to dance with Maddy Prior during The Drongo!!!!!
Truely spectacular
Thank you and a very happy new year!
Very well done
Thank you David. Isn't it a fantastic song!
Cool
Thanks!
Extremely well played! 😍
Thanks Thomas!
Lovely! Well Played! I saw Traffic perform this in November 1971 in William and Mary Hall in Virginia. That performance etched in my mind forever. Seeing Chris Wood play flute on it launched my journey with the flute.
Chris was a brilliant player, particularly on that album. You are so lucky to have seen the band. They never made it to Australia sadly. Xxx
Very great harmonization. And your combined love of music shines through in this rendition. Excellent
Thanks so much for taking the time to listen and comment ☀️
Just hearing you guys for the first time! Awesome version of this song!
Thanks so much Brett. Glad you liked it.
Once again....Thanks for this really fantastic version...Greetings from Italy...
Grazie per avermi ascoltato... thank you for listening x
@@pelicanpen You are welcome!....Prego..
Before I head your excellent version I was always partial to the Steeleye Span version. Thx for your awesome rendition!
Thanks so much xxx
Most likely the loveliest version i've heard
Aw. Thanks so very much xxx
❤❤
Thanks for playing it in this key, so that even people with voices other than Steve W. can try to sing it. But performing it as well as you is difficult because you are so good.
Thanks! It's such a great song. Glad to hear that you are singing it!
@@restlessmusicvault9588 What the Vault said!
Saw Jethro tull back in early 70s or maybe late 60s do this song in London.
I never knew JT did the song. Saw them in Sydney in the 70's sometime... always loved them too ...
A beautiful rendition of a great classic. Excellent singing and playing as well. (Are you sure that's only a twelve-string guitar? Sounds like 24 to me!)
A comment about the language: I hear you sing "cut", whereas Winwood seems to sing "cort him skin from bone". This seemed an odd, old term, but after living in a Italy for years and learning Italian, it made more sense. Here "riso decorticato" means rice from which the husk has been removed. It also refers to the practice of skinning animals - including the occasional unfortunate human, flaying, in other words. As Apollo did to Marsyas (spitefully, because Marsyas outdid Apollo musically, I think), or as happened to various martyrs. John Barleycorn passed his own Stations of the Cross, and gave his life so that we may drink and be merry.
Thanks so much for the interesting comment! I will do some research on the lyrics.
I''ve listened to ten or twelve renditions of the song, and everyone sings "cut", except for The Watersons, in their (or his) a cappella version, where it's "cort". I've checked the etymology via Wiki, which does not support my brilliant hypothesis. But "cut" has not the same sense as "skin" or "flay" or "cort", so I like "cort" better. But I hate to quibble - it's still a great old tune, one way or the other. If I wanted to quibble, it would just be a sign that I need to lighten up and have a drink.
In my old homebrew book (by Charlie Papazian), a few very old ale recipes are recounted. In one, called, I think, "Old Cock Ale", one is instructed to obtain an old cock (in the sense of rooster, please!), and to "flea him (flay him?)" - parenthesis in the original - then to let him marinate in the barley malt and hops for a few weeks. I haven't tried the recipe, as I haven't an old cock available. Papazian also gives us a clever motto, inspired by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young's "Déja vu": "Déja brew - we have all been beer before." @@pelicanpen
Hilarious! I have the same home brew book too where you stick an old rooster in the brew. Sounds exceedingly delightful I must say. In our Penguin book of British Folk Songs it does say "cut", however I rather like your etymology. Thanks for the very interesting discussion. x
@@pelicanpen Ah, so we are literally on the same page! Of a book I had thought rather esoteric! I no longer brew (cue sad violin music), for the sake of other commitments, but I have my replacement copy of Papazian, the Homebrew Bible (cue thunderbolts). I had lent my first to an Italian friend who wanted to take up home brewing, and don't you know, I never got it back! But I don't mind, as I'm sure it has been worthwhile.
Nice work but I like the slower tempo of Steve Winwood's take but it's all good !
Wonderful version! Great recording! How did you mic/ record this? Have you got boom mics over your heads out of camera, and wireless in each the 12-string and mandolin? If you did this with just one mic, how did you balance it so well?
SO very basic! We have a studio in our house, but this clip was made with a Canon PowerShot on a tripod...in-camera mic. Balance was achieved by shoving some felt inside the mandolin!!!
@@pelicanpenThank you. That's great balance for one in-camera mic.
Is the true story from history, or one of those great drunken myths?
@@DaStoneboat it is a mythologised description of the whole brewing process!!!
I like your version of the song very much.The harmonies do a lot to lift the lyric . I sang a solo out-of- doors version in a hay paddock in Motueka valley ( complete with pitch fork ).I think it was during the lock down when I uploaded it to youtube ..Cheers
Thanks! I will check out your version. Ours was done during lockdown too!
I know this song from Mr. King of Inside no 9. Those children are creepy when they sang this song happily.
Unsure of the reference as we live in Australia, but hope our version dispelled the fear😂
Oh man, kids ya'll are gooood harmonies. Reminds me of the Oaks and the Statlers when they were all young. What is Ms Penny's instrument? Sounds a little like a mandolin.
Yes, it's a mandolin. Thanks for listening!
One of the best versions, ever - thanks!
Wow! Thanks so much!!!
Lovely version of this song. I can hear every word clearly. Thanks so much.
Thanks for listening!🙏
Oh my God. I LOVE THIS AND I LOVE THE TWO OF YOU. Thank you for sharing your music and the beauty of your souls with all of us. I love this song so dearly and I had such a good time singing along with you. Much needed medicine for my soul. Thank you, thank you, thank you. ♥️ 🙌
Aw thanks! So pleased that you love the song x
I am so in love with your beautiful story from the old times. Greetings from Greece!!
Thank you and greetings to you too!
Strayed from coastal Alabama. Saw Tull, the Stones, led zep, dire straits, many others in England and other parts of Europe before wandering toward Asia and Oz. Made it home after 37 yrs. Rested up, rarin ta go again.
Wonderful cover. Traffic was the first time I heard this.
@@karlforster4907 That's where we first heard this grand song too. Thanks for listening x
The National Anthem of Brewers worldwide. Thanks!
Glad you liked our version x
What they wanna kill John barley corn fer, whatcha wanna kill John barley corn fer.
Well..beer must be brewed!
Preciosa versión. Muy digna y ......muy natural❤❤❤❤
@@Julian-je8jj Diolch yn fawr! Thanks very much. Muy gracias!!
Keep it simple! 😉 Traffic, BST, CSNY, Joni Mitchell... is what I was exposed to in the late 70s, when at school, it was the top50 of the days that was popular.
Great stuff, I enjoyed it. Amazing you're still playing this song after 50 years. On the other hand I am listening to this song for almost as long. But now it's time to have a drink.
A song as good as this .... you could sing for 100 years!!!
Hands-down my favorite cover of this song, and your story makes it that much better. Cheers from the United States!
So kind of you to comment. It IS a great song and our version pays a big tribute to Traffic's 60's epic. Best wishes to you from the other side of the globe!
You must also try the John Renbourn group version
We will have a think about that...❤
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Love it. Thank you ❤
So glad. Thanks!
Great! Thank you kindly for uploading.
Thank you kindly a) for listening and b) for taking time to send a message.
❤
Yeah, really great cover of JBC. Some nice picking right there.
Thanks so much!
My favourite recording of it to listen to.
@@davidmccann9811 wow, that's lovely!
Wunderschön , greetings from Germany!
Danke!
Dates to 1600s
Yes. Very old indeed. Have you seen the recent video of a beautiful acoustic version by Steve Winwood?
👍 The hand gestures added another nice layer of "story-telling" to that most wonderful ballad‼️
Thanks George for taking the time to communicate. x
Исполнение потрясающе 🔥
Far out
Much appreciate your comments x
Bliss
Thanks so much!
This is such a beautiful performance, total delight! Thank you so much.
Thanks so much for listening
beautiful!
Thanks!
Excellent Thank you very much
Thanks for listening!
A very good versión.
Thank you Maria!
Beautiful rendition of this! Love the mandolin with a 12 string.
THank you!!!
A great job! I just love this song. I first heard it by Traffic and you do a beautiful job!
@@williamsuper213 thanks so much! IT is a great song!
@@pelicanpen is there a way to purchase this song on iTunes or something?
@@williamsuper213 it's on an album called "and both shall row..." I will check to see if I can give you a link.
music.apple.com/us/album/and-both-shall-row/1500356308
@@pelicanpen I tried the LINK to download but it didn’t work..
This "jaunty" tempo does alter the emotional tone of the song. Apparently, it's what you're re going for. Personally, I prefer Traffic's somewhat darker, moodier treatment. Nevertheless, an excellent cover on your parts.
Thanks for the comment. I guess it straddles a traditional approach to the song as well as the Traffic version. ... thanks for listening!
Very nice version! Being a hacker of the 12 string, I enjoyed not just the guitar playing, but the harmony with the mando; also the voices.
Thanks for listening Phil. Keep on jangling!
That was fantastic. Thanks so much for posting. A really fantastic version, of a great song.
thank you so much xxxx
Cool. Very nice. Sounds good. 🤘🃏🇺🇸🎸
Thanks so much!
A lot of strings.
,20!
Bellissima versione!
Grazie mille per avere ascoltato!
Great
@@paintsylvania7357 thanks!!!
You have a nice voice Penny, reminds me a bit of one of my favorite artists Loreena Mckennitt :)
@@timothymeadows8326 that's great! Thanks!
Great song, really enjoyed your rendition. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for listening and for taking the time to comment x
Sublime
@@docDiogenes many thanks
Very nice version. First heard the song by John Renbourne which is top notch as well.
Thanks for listening first of all, and for taking the time to comment...you are very kind. X
Been enjoying this again as I frequently do, and I just wanted to say thank you again for all its wonderful positivity and joy in this uplifting performance.
Huge thanks for your lovely response xxx
great cover thanx so much
Thanks for listening!
Damn! That is absolutely beautiful to watch and listen to!
Thanks so much for listening and for taking the time to comment x
Just discovered your vid channel. Great stuff, and great to see you again, if only virtually! Come back to Maine when you're able!
Great to hear from you! Oh Maine...how we wish!!!!
Great Duo! 😊
Lovely to hear from you!
Amazing!!!!!!
Thank you for listening!
bravo.........
Gracias!
BRAVI !! stupenda esecuzione!! Marvelous execution !
Diolch yn fawr! Thank you very much!!!
Awesome !!!
Thanks!
Great old folk song
Sure is!
That was amazing. I live this song and play on a 6 string. Are you in Sydney still?
We live in Queensland now, John. It's a great song isn't it! And Traffic did a fantastic job when they recorded it all those years ago. Thanks for your kind comment.
Brilliant stuff 👏..
Thanks for listening x
Without doubt the best cover of this great song I've ever heard. Absolutely awesome very simple but yall definitely knocked it out of the park. I love music I can feel!!!
Wow, thanks Tiger! So kind of you to comment after listening.
WOW!
😄
Absolutely beautifully done!! Great version. ❤
@@mimmooliveri4163 lovely to hear from you. Thanks so much!
Wonderful cover of this old man JB. I remember Jethro Tull and Traffic. Congratulations from France.
Merci bien!
Великий Роберт Бёрнс
Спасибо за внимание!
Песня может иметь свои истоки в древнеанглийском или шотландском фольклоре, с письменными свидетельствами песни, датируемой ею, по крайней мере, еще елизаветинской эпохой. Самые старые версии являются шотландскими и включают шотландскую поэму «Quhy Sowld Nocht Allane Honorit Be». В 1782 году шотландский поэт Роберт Бернс опубликовал собственную версию песни, которая повлияла на последующие версии. According to Wikipedia and online translation
This is a beautiful version of this wonderful ballad. Thank you so much for sharing it!
Thanks for lending your ears!
Thank you. Beautiful!
THANKS MICHELE!
I love this song, the steely guitar drove the distress right out of me.
Happy to hear that! X
Steve Winwood sure did a good job with this song, btw so too have you guys!
He certainly did! It was very inspirational!
An absolute charming version
Thank you Hans. So kind of you to take the time to comment. x
Beautiful version of this old English song!
Thanks friend!
EXCELLENT rendition!!! Thank you!!! I've had my Traffic album since it came out and I listened to this over and over through the years. I found this and had to listen. LOVE IT!! Do you have a recording on CD available?
Thanks so much. Yes. We do have a recording. It's on our album AND BOTH SHALL ROW...
restlessmusic.com.au/page4.html#andboth
@@pelicanpen Got the link! Thank you!
You bring a smile to my soul.
Oh thank you. You bring one to ours!
OutSTANDing… this is how it’s done kidz!!!
Thanks for listening!!!!!
That guitar sounds amazing and your one hell of a picker. Both very talented !
Thanks ... another great song!!!
I love this song and you’ve done it justice
Thanks Bob. It's a great song!
This is so excellent!!
Thank you!
Really really great! Thanks for this beautiful cover!
Thank you!
Great vocals !
Thanks!
Thank you for sharing this with us!
It's such a grand song! Glad you enjoyed our version.
Very, VERY WELL DONE, Penny and Roger!!! I LOVE this song because I, too, sang harmony on this in an acoustic duo upon my insistence! GREAT JOB on a GREAT SONG!
Thanks! Such a great song! Is your version on YT? Best wishes.
@@pelicanpen No, unfortunately we never filmed it and I can't even find my audio copy, thus the late reply. When I find it I will post it and send it to you. Cheers!
@@spikeokc That will be grand! Thanks so much.