39;d him to and fro.

  they wasted, o'er a scorching flame,

  the marrow of his bones;

  but a miller us'd him worst of all,

  for he crush'd him between two stones.

  and they hae taen his very heart's blood,

  and drank it round and round;

  and still the more and more they drank,

  their joy did more abound.

  john barleycorn was a hero bold,

  of noble enterprise;

  for if you do but taste his blood,

  'twill make your courage rise.

  '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.

  then let us toast john barleycorn,

  each man a glass in hand;

  and may his great posterity

  ne'er fail in old scotland!