Interesting, this song parallels the myths of Isis and Osiris, Aphrodite and Adonis, as well as Ishtar and Tammuz, containing similar elements, such as the cycle of life and death, the male character in each representing the spring and rebirth.
@DemiAchura There are multiple versions of this song written over the centuries, so who's to say which one is the 'right one'? If you want to know more about the song check the Wikipedia article out.
Blew my socks off when I first heard it in '81 on a friend's cassette along with Steeleye's "Gaudete". Traffic's rendition here belongs on any list of greatest English folk/rock songs of alltime, Steeleye's version of this one sadly is very lacklustre in comparison.
Thanks reguissol it's a major tune, one of my favourites by Traffic, if not the favourite. Beautiful song and somehow makes me feel glad to know it's endured for centuries
Thank reguissol it's a major tune, one of my favourites by Traffic, if not the favourite. Beautiful sung and somehow makes me feel glad to know it's endured for centuries
So amazing, it sounds as good now as it did when it came out! I always thought the story was about guys who started a venture together and had vowed not to drink. But they ended up drinking anyway and all kinds of bad things happen.
The 'bad things' that are happening to John Barleycorn are actually steps in the process of planting, sowing, reaping and preparing barley to make alcohol. . The song is one of many ironic & dark-humored English folk songs. Another traditional verse includes John Barleycorn being thrown into water in an attempt to drown him, but he rises to the top. This is a further reference to the froth and CO2 released in beer-making. JB cannot be killed in spite of all their attempts.
Thanks for the thanks! My goal wasn't to correct anything, but to let you in on the song's history...I was hoping you'd enjoy it even more by knowing how clever the lyrics actually are...and how gruesome some of the old English folksongs really are. Led Zeppelin do a cover of the traditional song, 'Gallows Pole' I don't know if many people have actually listened to the lyrics well-enough to know the story it's telling. More dark humor! Best to you!
@dennybop Some good points about this song. Bang on about the dark-humour of old English folk songs. Not sure about your take on CO2 and froth. I have read a verse by Robert Burns that says:
They filled up a darksome pit
With water to the brim;
They heaved in John Barleycorn,
There let him sink or swim.
I take that as another part of the processing of barley where it is dumped into water and the heavier grain sinks while the chaff floats. In the next verse the grain is laid out and dried.
I was unaware of Robert Burns' contribution. Nice! It's claimed there have been thousands of verses created over the centuries. No doubt some scholar has spent a lifeime travelling throughout the land collecting them! There are worse ways to spend one's time. :-)
Loved this album, he (winwood} was a story teller, 40,000 headmen, and so many more trippy tunes that I saw live in Chicago many times, Dave Mason and Clapton would like sit in and they all jammed often
Through "Traffic," Chris Wood (from beyond his grave) taught me how to play jazz flute. The moment I hit my first overtone, I said "HOLEY MOLEY! IT IS POSSIBLE!!"
I use JBMD as my flute "anchor." But I will never be able to tote CW's flute case, much less all the other woodwinds he mastered. What a waste of an incredible talent.
Great song. Beautiful acoustic guitar and vocals by SW, who also uses the piano as a bass. Nice flute by CW, and passionate backing vocals by JC. Would love to see the studio version of Stranger to Himself posted on YT!
@musicFan432 It is also an analogy to the New Testiment. John Barleycorn is the Lord and Savior. After suffering numerous indignities he is resurrected and gets his revenge. He becomes the drink just as Jesus of Nazerith had.
@MrCowboyJesus@MrCowboyJesus Uh, no...it's not. Just because you can loosely fit around the Christ story around John Barleycorn doesn't mean the song is based on it.
Besides, Jesus wasn't supposed to be resurrected for revenge. That's supposed to happen during the judgement.
reguissol, nice work!!!!! im on a search for ( cover 9I AM ASSUMING THAT TRAFFIC DID THIS ALBUM ORIGINALLY) a few years back at a flea market i found this album done by jethro tull but lost it when when my home caught fire in2007 and im hoping to find another copy . i was hoping you could shead some light or pass the word on to your buds tull covered this song on their cd '"a little light music" but thats as far as ive gotten anyinfo would be appreicated thanks for your help and the vid.
You had this and than higher love.......what a pity
manutdtreble7 1 week ago
a prime example of spuragmus (sp?)
DrakonumBlade 2 weeks ago
1 of my bffs turned me onto this song tonight. I'm really enjoying this tune!! I see why he talk so much about Traffic!!
LAKERSNYANKEESFAN 2 weeks ago
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Lol, i knew this thanks to my teacher... It's fantastic!
silverr94 3 weeks ago
Lol, i knew this thanks to my teachear... It's fantastic!
silverr94 3 weeks ago
Interesting, this song parallels the myths of Isis and Osiris, Aphrodite and Adonis, as well as Ishtar and Tammuz, containing similar elements, such as the cycle of life and death, the male character in each representing the spring and rebirth.
Vahilias 1 month ago
@Vahilias There is a reason why the myths of fertility gods mimics the life-cycle of barley turning into beer. Or any other plant maturing.
onyxdubh 1 week ago
Got that gaelic, irish sound like Immigrant Song by led zep. this is an oldie and a goodie.
fredszczepanski 1 month ago
@DemiAchura There are multiple versions of this song written over the centuries, so who's to say which one is the 'right one'? If you want to know more about the song check the Wikipedia article out.
musicFan432 1 month ago
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program please subscribe to my channel for more cool videos and FREE traffic.
adsvancer 1 month ago
Man, reggie, your clip rocks!
Meandgenevieve 2 months ago
Blew my socks off when I first heard it in '81 on a friend's cassette along with Steeleye's "Gaudete". Traffic's rendition here belongs on any list of greatest English folk/rock songs of alltime, Steeleye's version of this one sadly is very lacklustre in comparison.
Meandgenevieve 2 months ago
A timeless classic by a legendary group of musicians !
61804shill 3 months ago
this was 1970. from their 4th album not 1968
greatcomedian18 4 months ago
"1 person" needs a bitch slap!
whoadude1959 4 months ago
GOSTEI de VER & OUVIR. Obrigada por COMPARTILHAR.
tamara3398 5 months ago
Thanks reguissol it's a major tune, one of my favourites by Traffic, if not the favourite. Beautiful song and somehow makes me feel glad to know it's endured for centuries
Happysundaze 5 months ago
Thank reguissol it's a major tune, one of my favourites by Traffic, if not the favourite. Beautiful sung and somehow makes me feel glad to know it's endured for centuries
Happysundaze 5 months ago
So amazing, it sounds as good now as it did when it came out! I always thought the story was about guys who started a venture together and had vowed not to drink. But they ended up drinking anyway and all kinds of bad things happen.
heliot58 5 months ago
Comment removed
dennybop 3 months ago
@heliot58
The 'bad things' that are happening to John Barleycorn are actually steps in the process of planting, sowing, reaping and preparing barley to make alcohol. . The song is one of many ironic & dark-humored English folk songs. Another traditional verse includes John Barleycorn being thrown into water in an attempt to drown him, but he rises to the top. This is a further reference to the froth and CO2 released in beer-making. JB cannot be killed in spite of all their attempts.
dennybop 3 months ago
@dennybop Thanks for the song info. Looks like i was way off track here haha! I've always loved this song!
heliot58 3 months ago
@heliot58
Thanks for the thanks! My goal wasn't to correct anything, but to let you in on the song's history...I was hoping you'd enjoy it even more by knowing how clever the lyrics actually are...and how gruesome some of the old English folksongs really are. Led Zeppelin do a cover of the traditional song, 'Gallows Pole' I don't know if many people have actually listened to the lyrics well-enough to know the story it's telling. More dark humor! Best to you!
dadasticsounds 3 months ago
@dennybop Some good points about this song. Bang on about the dark-humour of old English folk songs. Not sure about your take on CO2 and froth. I have read a verse by Robert Burns that says:
They filled up a darksome pit
With water to the brim;
They heaved in John Barleycorn,
There let him sink or swim.
I take that as another part of the processing of barley where it is dumped into water and the heavier grain sinks while the chaff floats. In the next verse the grain is laid out and dried.
MrStringJockey 2 months ago
@MrStringJockey
I was unaware of Robert Burns' contribution. Nice! It's claimed there have been thousands of verses created over the centuries. No doubt some scholar has spent a lifeime travelling throughout the land collecting them! There are worse ways to spend one's time. :-)
dennybop 2 months ago
Beautiful video ~ Excellent with this wonderful song. Great job!
woodsmissful 5 months ago
i listened to this around 8 this morning and it just stuck with me all day and here i am listening to it another 5 times....i love it!!
babyroorat 5 months ago 5
@babyroorat aint that great when that happens : -)
mrbeanpile 4 months ago
PERFECTION
Mygrassisblue01 5 months ago
Great folksinger.
mouldybear 5 months ago
Right up there on my all-time list of dorm room stoner music.
gofigures2004 5 months ago
It's so musically done, this old folk tune.
urielstud 5 months ago
I am pleased to say I have this masterpiece album on vinyl and CD.......so great!
27wingnut 6 months ago
finnaly a studio versionthats not all distorded from the annoying crowd.(live version)
MRcubcadet107 6 months ago
I've always like Steeleye Span's version better, but this is classic, and the one that so many others copy. I love this song.
tabhorian 6 months ago
This is a great video telling of the song's meaning! I love it (not to mention the song too.)
squarejpeg 7 months ago
so good !
DOMSTRAW 7 months ago
amazing!
discomadame 7 months ago
this album was released in 1970 not 1968
Jeffrey76240 7 months ago
John Barleycorn
TheJumusic 8 months ago
Sounds like Fuerza Natural, Gustavo Cerati
jfma22 8 months ago
Comment removed
jfma22 8 months ago
this song is really a symphony!
giovannibrunoro 9 months ago
The album came out in 1970
Beadbud5000 9 months ago
Loved this album, he (winwood} was a story teller, 40,000 headmen, and so many more trippy tunes that I saw live in Chicago many times, Dave Mason and Clapton would like sit in and they all jammed often
TheIrishmary 9 months ago
Through "Traffic," Chris Wood (from beyond his grave) taught me how to play jazz flute. The moment I hit my first overtone, I said "HOLEY MOLEY! IT IS POSSIBLE!!"
I use JBMD as my flute "anchor." But I will never be able to tote CW's flute case, much less all the other woodwinds he mastered. What a waste of an incredible talent.
freedumb2003 9 months ago
I want those cups. Where can I get 'em
learningrichard 9 months ago
I might still have JB in my crawl space if the elemetsn haven't ruined it. Rather pleasing study of jolly looking mugfellows.
IanHunedoara8 9 months ago
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Good work on the video.Well done!! Posting to FB
Sejaynus 10 months ago
Good work on the video.Well done!!
Sejaynus 10 months ago 2
Es igual a fuerza natural!!!!!!!!!! WTF
ozzystereo 10 months ago
Great song. Beautiful acoustic guitar and vocals by SW, who also uses the piano as a bass. Nice flute by CW, and passionate backing vocals by JC. Would love to see the studio version of Stranger to Himself posted on YT!
pdesser2 11 months ago
Tobey jugs are everywhere!?
olig19052 11 months ago
@MegaSunshineforever, this is an old English folk song. It's been around for hundreds of years. Aren't the lyrics amazing?
musicFan432 1 year ago 30
@musicFan432 yes have a magic feel to it
empeetree1 6 months ago in playlist michaels
@musicFan432 It is also an analogy to the New Testiment. John Barleycorn is the Lord and Savior. After suffering numerous indignities he is resurrected and gets his revenge. He becomes the drink just as Jesus of Nazerith had.
MrCowboyJesus 1 month ago
@MrCowboyJesus @MrCowboyJesus Uh, no...it's not. Just because you can loosely fit around the Christ story around John Barleycorn doesn't mean the song is based on it.
Besides, Jesus wasn't supposed to be resurrected for revenge. That's supposed to happen during the judgement.
musicFan432 1 month ago
reguissol, nice work!!!!! im on a search for ( cover 9I AM ASSUMING THAT TRAFFIC DID THIS ALBUM ORIGINALLY) a few years back at a flea market i found this album done by jethro tull but lost it when when my home caught fire in2007 and im hoping to find another copy . i was hoping you could shead some light or pass the word on to your buds tull covered this song on their cd '"a little light music" but thats as far as ive gotten anyinfo would be appreicated thanks for your help and the vid.
MegaSunshineforever 1 year ago