Annotation:John Barlycorn

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JOHN BARLYCORN [sic]. AKA - "John Barleycorn." Scottish, Jig (12/8 time). D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AA'BB'. The jig is attributed to fiddler-composer Biography:John French (1752-1803), of Cumnock, east Ayrshire. 'John Barleycorn' is a poetic animation of the process of brewing ale from barley wheat, celebrated in the song "John Barleycorn" or "John Barelycorn is a hero bold" (from the first line). Composer French was reputed to have been an intemperate man, whose drinking may have hastened his death.

Source for notated version:

Printed sources: French (Collection of New Strathspeys, Reels, etc.), 1801; p. 3.

Recorded sources:

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