Evocation of John Barleycorn

Evocation of John Barleycorn

By the firm earth beneath my roots.

By the sap rising in my long shank,

By the breeze in my supple sheaves,

By the fullness of my cornels,

By the might of my burly beard,

I here stand proud before thee.

Standing tall and straight, thee do me adore,

Sudden end with sharp blade, as if to war.

My neck wilt be cut, with greatest of care,

My spirit set free, by they who doth dare.

With a flying scythe, falling to the ground,

Into a great sheaf, to be twisted and bound.

To be poured from a jug, into a long horn,

To be reborn as ale, thee shalt not mourn.

Copyright Andrew Rea July 2012