There were three men cam' frae the west Three men baith great and high And they beswore a solemn oath John Barleycorn should die Oh, oh, John Barley Oh, John Barleycorn It would break the heart of a dying man To hear John Barley mourn ♪ Well, they took a scythe, baith long and sharp And they cut him below the knee And they tied him fast upon a cart Like a rogue for felony Well, they roasted him over a scorching flame 'Til the marrow ran out of his bones And the miller he used him worse than that For he crushed him between two stones Oh, oh, John Barley Oh, John Barleycorn It would break the heart of a dying man To hear John Barley mourn ♪ Now John Barleycorn, he was a hero bold Of noble enterprise And if you do but taste his blood It'll mak' your courage rise And here's a health to John Barley Raise your glasses in your hand And may he bring prosperity In England and Scotland Oh, oh, John Barley Oh, John Barleycorn It would break the heart of a dying man To hear John Barley mourn Oh, oh, John Barley Oh, John Barleycorn It would break the heart of a dying man To hear John Barley mourn