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John Barleycorn

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of John Barleycorn is here in full — 106 sentences across 22 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Jack London • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for John Barleycorn

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

It all came to me one election day.

It was on a warm California afternoon, and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California.

Because of the warmth of the day I had had several drinks before casting my ballot, and divers drinks after casting it.

Then I had ridden up through the vine-clad hills and rolling pastures of the ranch, and arrived at the farm-house in time for another drink and supper.

"How did you vote on the suffrage amendment?"

Narrator

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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English

LEARNER DICTIONARY

Archivist

/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/

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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter I Reading 1/21

John Barleycorn Jack London

Cover illustration for John Barleycorn

Chapter I

Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of John Barleycorn is here in full — 106 sentences across 22 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

It all came to me one election day. It was on a warm California afternoon, and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California. Because of the warmth of the day I had had several drinks before casting my ballot, and divers drinks after casting it. Then I had ridden up through the vine-clad hills and rolling pastures of the ranch, and arrived at the farm-house in time for another drink and supper. "How did you vote on the suffrage amendment?"

John Barleycorn

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of John Barleycorn is here in full — 106 sentences across 22 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/21 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

It all came to me one election day.

Line 2

It was on a warm California afternoon, and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California.

Line 3

Because of the warmth of the day I had had several drinks before casting my ballot, and divers drinks after casting it.

Line 4

Then I had ridden up through the vine-clad hills and rolling pastures of the ranch, and arrived at the farm-house in time for another drink and supper.

Line 5

"How did you vote on the suffrage amendment?"

All words in this reading · 67

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

a

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was on a warm California afternoon, and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California.

after

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Because of the warmth of the day I had had several drinks before casting my ballot, and divers drinks after casting it.

afternoon

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was on a warm California afternoon, and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California.

all

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It all came to me one election day.

amendment

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "How did you vote on the suffrage amendment?"

amendments

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was on a warm California afternoon, and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California.

and

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was on a warm California afternoon, and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California.

another

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then I had ridden up through the vine-clad hills and rolling pastures of the ranch, and arrived at the farm-house in time for another drink and supper.

arrived

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then I had ridden up through the vine-clad hills and rolling pastures of the ranch, and arrived at the farm-house in time for another drink and supper.

at

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then I had ridden up through the vine-clad hills and rolling pastures of the ranch, and arrived at the farm-house in time for another drink and supper.

ballot

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Because of the warmth of the day I had had several drinks before casting my ballot, and divers drinks after casting it.

Because

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Because of the warmth of the day I had had several drinks before casting my ballot, and divers drinks after casting it.

before

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Because of the warmth of the day I had had several drinks before casting my ballot, and divers drinks after casting it.

California

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was on a warm California afternoon, and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California.

came

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It all came to me one election day.

casting

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Because of the warmth of the day I had had several drinks before casting my ballot, and divers drinks after casting it.

Constitution

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was on a warm California afternoon, and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California.

day

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It all came to me one election day.

did

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "How did you vote on the suffrage amendment?"

divers

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Because of the warmth of the day I had had several drinks before casting my ballot, and divers drinks after casting it.

down

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was on a warm California afternoon, and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California.

drink

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then I had ridden up through the vine-clad hills and rolling pastures of the ranch, and arrived at the farm-house in time for another drink and supper.

drinks

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Because of the warmth of the day I had had several drinks before casting my ballot, and divers drinks after casting it.

election

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It all came to me one election day.

farm-house

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then I had ridden up through the vine-clad hills and rolling pastures of the ranch, and arrived at the farm-house in time for another drink and supper.

for

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then I had ridden up through the vine-clad hills and rolling pastures of the ranch, and arrived at the farm-house in time for another drink and supper.

from

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was on a warm California afternoon, and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California.

had

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was on a warm California afternoon, and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California.

hills

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then I had ridden up through the vine-clad hills and rolling pastures of the ranch, and arrived at the farm-house in time for another drink and supper.

host

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was on a warm California afternoon, and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California.

How

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "How did you vote on the suffrage amendment?"

I

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was on a warm California afternoon, and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California.

in

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then I had ridden up through the vine-clad hills and rolling pastures of the ranch, and arrived at the farm-house in time for another drink and supper.

into

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was on a warm California afternoon, and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California.

It

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It all came to me one election day.

little

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was on a warm California afternoon, and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California.

me

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It all came to me one election day.

Moon

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was on a warm California afternoon, and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California.

my

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Because of the warmth of the day I had had several drinks before casting my ballot, and divers drinks after casting it.

No

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was on a warm California afternoon, and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California.

of

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was on a warm California afternoon, and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California.

on

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was on a warm California afternoon, and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California.

one

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It all came to me one election day.

pastures

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then I had ridden up through the vine-clad hills and rolling pastures of the ranch, and arrived at the farm-house in time for another drink and supper.

proposed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was on a warm California afternoon, and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California.

ranch

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was on a warm California afternoon, and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California.

ridden

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was on a warm California afternoon, and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California.

rolling

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then I had ridden up through the vine-clad hills and rolling pastures of the ranch, and arrived at the farm-house in time for another drink and supper.

several

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Because of the warmth of the day I had had several drinks before casting my ballot, and divers drinks after casting it.

State

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was on a warm California afternoon, and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California.

suffrage

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "How did you vote on the suffrage amendment?"

supper

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then I had ridden up through the vine-clad hills and rolling pastures of the ranch, and arrived at the farm-house in time for another drink and supper.

the

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was on a warm California afternoon, and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California.

Then

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then I had ridden up through the vine-clad hills and rolling pastures of the ranch, and arrived at the farm-house in time for another drink and supper.

through

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then I had ridden up through the vine-clad hills and rolling pastures of the ranch, and arrived at the farm-house in time for another drink and supper.

time

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then I had ridden up through the vine-clad hills and rolling pastures of the ranch, and arrived at the farm-house in time for another drink and supper.

to

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It all came to me one election day.

up

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then I had ridden up through the vine-clad hills and rolling pastures of the ranch, and arrived at the farm-house in time for another drink and supper.

Valley

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was on a warm California afternoon, and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California.

village

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was on a warm California afternoon, and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California.

vine-clad

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then I had ridden up through the vine-clad hills and rolling pastures of the ranch, and arrived at the farm-house in time for another drink and supper.

vote

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was on a warm California afternoon, and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California.

warm

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was on a warm California afternoon, and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California.

warmth

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Because of the warmth of the day I had had several drinks before casting my ballot, and divers drinks after casting it.

was

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was on a warm California afternoon, and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California.

Yes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was on a warm California afternoon, and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California.

you

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "How did you vote on the suffrage amendment?"

Chapter 1 of John Barleycorn by Jack London holds 106 sentences, grouped into 22 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of John Barleycorn contain?

Chapter 1 holds 106 sentences of John Barleycorn, unabridged, divided into 22 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of John Barleycorn by Jack London exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 106 sentences, grouped into 22 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of John Barleycorn?

Work through the 22 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 22 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading John Barleycorn

Common questions about reading John Barleycorn by Jack London on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of John Barleycorn?

Yes. All 3960 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #318 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of John Barleycorn is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #318, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does John Barleycorn take to read?

About 330 minutes of reading across 792 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read John Barleycorn section by section

How to work through John Barleycorn section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

Open a chapter

Choose one of the 39 chapters of John Barleycorn to begin.
Read one section

Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Listen and tap

Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in John Barleycorn

Words and structures a reader meets early in John Barleycorn, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Election: A word that appears in the opening chapter of John Barleycorn; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
California: A word that appears in the opening chapter of John Barleycorn; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Afternoon: A word that appears in the opening chapter of John Barleycorn; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Ridden: A word that appears in the opening chapter of John Barleycorn; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.