This tune always threw me a little. You'd assume, from the title, that the protagonists (three men) would be attempting to overcome or eliminate alcoholism. It makes clear from the start, though, that it's a futile effort, that the destruction of barley (harvesting, milling, etc) is, in itself the process of making ale. Traffic either chose a slightly more obfuscated version or reworded it slightly, but another version (below) makes the point clear, particularly regarding the ale being 'IN' a nut brown bowl, ie: a plain vessel, as one would use when drinking home-brewed ale. In the end, ale wins out over the more refined/ expensive brandy. Another conclusion can also be drawn, that the three men initially intended to start a brandy distillery but realized it was a losing battle. There are several other, more spiritual/ mythological interpretations, and many different versions.
They have worked their will on John Barleycorn
But he lived to tell the tale;
For they pour him out of an old brown jug,
And they call him home-brewed ale!
Here's Little Sir John in a nut-brown bowl,
And brandy in a glass!
And Little Sir John in the nut-brown bowl
Proved the stronger man at last!
For the huntsman he can't hunt the fox
Nor loudly blow his horn,
And the tinker can't mend kettles nor pots
Without John Barleycorn!
This tune always threw me a little. You'd assume, from the title, that the protagonists (three men) would be attempting to overcome or eliminate alcoholism. It makes clear from the start, though, that it's a futile effort, that the destruction of barley (harvesting, milling, etc) is, in itself the process of making ale. Traffic either chose a slightly more obfuscated version or reworded it slightly, but another version (below) makes the point clear, particularly regarding the ale being 'IN' a nut brown bowl, ie: a plain vessel, as one would use when drinking home-brewed ale. In the end, ale wins out over the more refined/ expensive brandy. Another conclusion can also be drawn, that the three men initially intended to start a brandy distillery but realized it was a losing battle. There are several other, more spiritual/ mythological interpretations, and many different versions.
They have worked their will on John Barleycorn But he lived to tell the tale;
For they pour him out of an old brown jug, And they call him home-brewed ale!
Here's Little Sir John in a nut-brown bowl, And brandy in a glass!
And Little Sir John in the nut-brown bowl Proved the stronger man at last!
For the huntsman he can't hunt the fox Nor loudly blow his horn,
And the tinker can't mend kettles nor pots Without John Barleycorn!
@nyctuber I appreciate the quote and I believe the lyrics page should change to "kettle nor pots" instead of "or" but I have not had any luck.
@nyctuber I appreciate the quote and I believe the lyrics page should change to "kettle nor pots" instead of "or" but I have not had any luck.