John Barleycorn Must Die Trivia Quiz

Answer:

Released on 1 July 1970, "John Barleycorn Must Die" was Traffic's comeback album after they had briefly disbanded the previous year. Recorded as a trio of Steve Winwood (vocals, organ and guitar), Jim Capaldi (vocals, drums and percussion) and Chris Wood (woodwinds and organ), the album marks a clear shift from the band's early psychedelic sound to a more progressive one, incorporating elements of jazz, blues and folk. Five out of the album's six tracks are written by Winwood and Capaldi, with one exception - the title-track, a version of the well-known English folk song "John Barleycorn" arranged by Winwood. The album's distinctive, rustic-looking cover depicts a woodcut of a sheaf of grain.

"John Barleycorn" is listed as number 164 in the Roud Folk Song Index. Its oldest versions are from Scotland, dating back from the late 16th century; Robert Burns produced his own version in 1782. The song narrates the plight of the titular John Barleycorn, the personification of barley and the alcohol produced from it, who is subjected to various indignities that correspond to the stages of barley cultivation and preparation for brewing. The origins of the song have long been debated: some believe it may be related to the myth of the Corn King, a ancient vegetation ritual that involved human sacrifice to ensure the "resurrection" of the crops. This interpretation is supported by English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams and folk singer A.L. Lloyd, the editors of "The Penguin Book of English Folk Songs" (1959). John Barleycorn eventually takes his revenge, as workers cannot perform their jobs effectively without drinking his "blood" - that is, beer or whisky.

Traffic's interpretation of "John Barleycorn" is reminiscent of the approach of folk-rock bands such as Fairport Convention, Pentangle and Steeleye Span - respectful of the original material, but adapted to modern tastes. Winwood's rather minimalistic arrangement hinges on his soulful vocals - joined by Capaldi's in the second half of the song - accompanied by acoustic guitar, tambourine and Wood's flute, creating a lovely pastoral mood that contrasts with the lyrics' rather violent imagery. According to various sources, Traffic's version was influenced by the one recorded by English folk group The Watersons for their 1965 album "Frost and Fire". The lyrics of both The Watersons' and Traffic's songs are nearly identical to those featured in "The Penguin Book of English Folk Songs", attributed to 'Shepherd' Hayden - in which, however, most verbs are in the past tense rather than the present perfect.

Versions of "John Barleycorn", though with different music and lyrics, have been recorded by many eminent folk bands and artists, including Steeleye Span, Fairport Convention and Jethro Tull.