I. There Were Three Kings Into The East, Three Kings Both Great And High; And They Hae Sworn A Solemn Oath John Barleycorn Should Die. Ii. They Took A Plough And Plough'D Him Down, Put Clods Upon His Head; And They Ha'E Sworn A Solemn Oath John Barleycorn Was Dead. Iii. 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; His Head Weel Arm'D Wi' Pointed Spears That No One Should Him Wrong. V. The Sober Autumn Enter'D Mild, When He Grew Wan And Pale; His Beading Joints And Drooping Head SHow'd He Began To Fail. Vi. His Colour Sicken'D More And More, He Faded Into Age; And Then His Enemies Began To Show Their Deadly Rage. Vii. They've Ta'En A Weapon, Long And Sharp, And Cut Him By The Knee; Then Ty'D Him Fast Upon A Cart, Like A Rogue For Forgerie. Viii. They Laid Him Down Upon His Back, And Cudgell'D Him Full Sore; They Hung Him Up Before The Storm. And Turn'D Him O'Er And O'Er. Ix. They Filled Up A Darksome Pit With Water To The Brim; They Heaved In John Barleycorn, There Let Him Sink Or Swim. X. They Laid Him Out Upon The Floor, To Work Him Farther Woe; And Still, As Signs Of Life Appear'D, They Toss'D Him To And Fro. Xi. They Wasted O'Er A Scorching Flame The Marrow Of His Bones; But A Miller Us'D Him Worst Of All, He Crush'D Him 'Tween The Stones. Xii. And They Ha'E Ta'En His Very Heart'S Blood, And Drank It Round And Round; And Still The More And More They Drank, Their Joy Did More Abound. 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 Ne'er Fail In Old Scotland!