Annotation:John Barlycorn

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X:1 T:John Barlycorn M:12/8 L:1/8 R:Jig B:John French – Collection of New Strathspeys, Reels, etc. (1801) N:Dedicated to Mrs. Boswell of Auchinleck N:Published by Gow & Shepherd, “for behoof of Mr. French’s widow and children.” K:D D2d (AG)F ECE G2E|D2d ABc dcB AGF| G2e F2d ECE G2E|1 Ddf edc dAG FGE:|2 Ddf edc dFD D2|| |: g|Tf2d (f/g/a)f ge=c efg|Tf2d Adf afd faf| gbg faf ge=c efg|1 fdf gec dFD D2:|2 fag fge dAG FGE||

JOHN BARLYCORN [sic]. AKA - "John Barleycorn." Scottish, Jig (12/8 time). D Major/Mixoldyian. 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 "Sir 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.

Additional notes

Source for notated version: -

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

Recorded sources: -

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