English Folk Song - John Barleycorn

John Barleycorn (Roud Folk Song Index #164) is an allegorical English folk song celebrating the sowing and harvest of barley and its subsequent use as alcohol. John Barleycorn is one of the most well-known English folk songs due to the wide range of musical adaptations that exist, many from well-known bands such as Traffic. It is also one of the oldest English folk songs, already having been printed by the 17th century with roots that extend centuries further in the past. It has its origins in the pagan worship of the Corn God who was symbolically killed and resurrected each harvest cycle.

Recording credit: John Graham Donaldson, Folk Music of England

This channel is dedicated to preserving the neglected culture of English folk songs in the form of short lyrical videos. The folk songs of the English have been overlooked compared to those of the other British peoples, something that this channel hopes to fix.

[TheSirPixel]

The song without context: John gets brutally beaten
The song with context: "Hey guys! Here's a tutorial on how to make home-brewed ale."

[paul]

A very good rendition of a fine song. Hats off to you all.

[VarangianGuard]

This is a fine and lovely song, and it inspires me to put my hands to work on some home-brewed ale. ( Have no fear, it's legal here. ) I hope and pray that the English Folk Project continues in strength and glory forever onward.
May everyone have to their advantage a thousand blessings. Greetings from the USA.

[darkduck-qgso]

you should upload some Middle English songs like Blow Northern Wind, Worldes Bliss, Alysoun etc... with Modern English lyrics. Dr. Ludwig does it with Middle German so I figure it's fitting

[altairaquila]

I hope all goes well for you can you upload some song by Peter Bellamy and Martin Carthy and maybe even the young tradition and watersons

[sealand]

Apparently the recipe of beer is in the song

[mikemccarthy]

hmmm, thirsty now, can't imagine why...

[zandernewson]

Inside No 9 anyone ?? Gods rest Mr King.

[Wotsitorlabart]

Seeing as the song was written in 1624 (and that version was radically re-written in the mid 1700's to create the song most people recognise today) it is rather unlikely that it has anything to do with 'pagan corn gods'.
As Steve Roud (he of the 'Roud Folk Song Index') says - it's simply a very clever allegory.