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SONGS.

 

Divider from 'The Beauties of Burn's Poems' a chapbook printed in Falkirk in 1819

 

John Barleycorn

A BALLAD

THERE were three Kings into the cast, Three Kings baith great and high, And they hae sworn a solemn oath, John Barleycorn should die.

They took a plow and plow'd him down, Put clods upon his head; And they hae sworn a solemn oath, John Barleycorn was dead.

But the cheerful Spring came kindly on, And show'rs began to fall; John Barleycorn gat up again, And sore surprized them all!

The sultry Suns of Summer came, And he grew thick and strong, His head well arm'd with pointed spears, That no one should him wrong.

• This is partly composed on the plan of

an old song known by the same name.