SONGS. JOHN BARLEYCORN*. A BALLAD. I. There was three kings into the east, They took a plough and plough'd him down, Put clods upon his head, And they hae sworn a solemn oath John Barleycorn was dead. JII. But the cheerful spring came kindly on, And show'rs began to fall; John Barleycorn got up again, And sore surpris'd them all. IV. The sultry suns of summer came, And he grew thick and strong, V. The sober autumn enter'd mild,, VI. His colour sicken'd more and more, He faded into age; ر This is partly composed on the plan of an old song known by the same name. And then his enemies began VII. They've taen a weapon, long and sharp, VIII. They laid him down upon his back, IX. They filled up a darksome pit X. They laid him out upon the floor, XI. They wasted, o'er a scorching flame, The marrow of his bones; But a miiler us'd him worst of all, For he crush'd him between two stones. XII. And they hae taen his very heart's blood, XIII. John Barleycorn was a hero bold, Of noble enterprise, For if you do but taste his blood, "Twill make your courage rise. XIV. "Twill make a man forget his woe; "Twill heighten all his joy: "Twill make the widow's heart to sing, Tho' the tear were in her eye. XV. Then let us toast John Barleycorn, Each man a glass in hand; And may his great posterity A FRAGMENT. Tune," Gillicrankie." I. When Guilford good our pilot stood, Ae night, at tea, began a plea, Then thro' the lakes Montgomery takes, III. Poor Tammy Gage within a cage Was kept at Boston ha', man; "Till Willie Howe took o'er the knowe For Philadelphia, man: Wi' sword an' gun he thought a sin IV. Burgoyne gaed up like spur an' whip, V. Then Montague, an' Guilford too, And Sackville doure, wha stood the stoure, For paddy Burke, like ony Turk, Nae mercy had at a', man; An' Charley Fox threw by the box, VI. Then Rockingham took up the game; Saint Stephen's boys, wi' jarring noise, For North an' For united stocks, An' bore him to the wa', man. VIL Then clubs an' hearts were Charlie's cartes, He swept the stakes awa', man, 'Till the diamond's ace, of Indian race, Led him a sair faux pas, man: |