John Barleycorn, performance materials + license

Quick summary

• Forces: TBB
• Duration: c. 3′
• Difficulty: easy
• Text: traditional
• Language: English
• Date of composition: 2024
• Premiere: Cambridge Timeline Choir, 2024

Licenses include the appropriate number of print-outs for the specified ensemble size, and are valid for unlimited performances by the same ensemble. Please choose the appropriate license for your choir size.

Detailed info

The popular British folksong John Barleycorn tells a rather shockingly violent story of brutalities inflicted upon John Barleycorn, who of course turns out to be a personification of barley. The cruelties inflicted upon him are all parts of the process through which barley becomes beer, from planting to harvesting, grinding, brewing, and finally drinking!

Stef's straightforward three-part setting, for lower voices, is designed to be learnt easily by ear, as well as being suitable for score-reading choirs. Its simple, powerful harmonies – characterised by parallel 4th and 5ths – evoke shanty and folk harmony singing, and create a joyful sense of cohesion and momentum.

It is a fast piece to memorise, because of its memorable tune and singable harmonies. The main melody is not consistently sung by one part, but distributed between both tenor and bass.