Whiskey in the Jar

"Whiskey in the Jar" is a famous Irish traditional song about an Irish highwayman (usually in the Kerry mountains), who is betrayed by his wife or lover. It is one of the most widely performed traditional Irish songs, and has been recorded by groups such as the Dubliners, The Pogues, Peter, Paul and Mary, the Poxy Boggards and The Limeliters. It was also given a rock veneer by Irish rock band Thin Lizzy, with iconic lead singer Phil Lynott in 1973. Thin Lizzy's version has since been covered by Pulp (1997), Ernies, Smokie, Metallica (1998) and Belle & Sebastian (2006). Jerry Garcia (of the Grateful Dead) and David Grisman recorded a cover of this song together.

History

The song's exact origins are lost in the mists of history.

Judging from the use of a rapier it is likely that the lyrics date back to at least the late eighteenth century. In at least one version, a reference to the narrator's 'sabre' is made rather than his 'rapier'. The reference to the rapier could have originally referred to a rapaire ("half-pike" in Irish) and the highwayman could have been a rapparee - Irish irregular soldiers and bandits of the 17th and 18th centuries.

In his book, "The Folk Songs of North America", noted folk music historian Alan Lomax suggests that the song originated in the seventeenth century. As evidence for this, Lomax cites the similarities between "Whiskey in the Jar" and John Gay's Beggar's Opera, which dates to 1728. Lomax confidently suggests that "Whiskey in the Jar" inspired "Beggar's Opera". By 1728, "Whiskey in the Jar" was widely distributed throughout the Celtic world.

In regard to the history of the song, Lomax states, "The folk of seventeenth century Britain liked and admired their local highwaymen; and in Ireland (or Scotland) where the gentlemen of the roads robbed English landlords, they were regarded as national patriots. Such feelings inspired this rollicking ballad." Lomax points out the song is about a Robin Hood-like figure, who steals from the rich.

At some point, the song came to the United States, and was a favorite in Colonial America because of its irreverent attitude towards British officials. The American versions are sometimes set in America and deal with American characters. One such version, from Massachusetts, is about Alan McCollister, an Irish-American soldier who is sentenced to death by hanging for robbing British officials.

Topic of Song

"Whiskey in the Jar" is the tale of a highwayman who, after robbing a military/government official, is betrayed by a woman named Jenny/Molly; whether she is his wife or sweetheart is not made clear. Various versions of the song take place in Kerry, Kilmagenny, Cork, Gilgarra Mountain, Sligo Town, and other locales throughout Ireland. The narrator of the song is not usually named. The only consistently named figures are the sweetheart who betrays our narrator, "Jenny"/"Molly", and the Anglo-Irish official, "Captain Farrell"/"Colonel Pepper", neither of which aid in the dating of the song. In some versions of the song, the narrator remains imprisoned for his crime, in other versions, the narrator escapes from prison and flees the town of his imprisonment to pursue his love of 'the good life.' (See below for lyrics).

Traditional Lyrics

Like most Irish drinking songs, "Whiskey in the Jar" has no single standard set of lyrics. This variation is largely due to regional differences in dialect as well as the variable stages of inebriation in which it is sung.

The title "Whiskey in the Jar", heard in the chorus, has little to do with the rest of the lyrics to the song.

The most widely-sung version of the song is sung with the following lyrics:

As I was going over the far famed Kerry mountains

I met with Captain Farrell, and his money he was counting.

I first produced my pistol, and I then produced my rapier.

Sayin' stand and deliver, for You are a bold deceiver,

Chorus:

musha ring dumma do damma da

whack for the daddy 'ol

there's whiskey in the jar

I counted out his money, and it made a pretty penny.

I put it in me pocket and I took it home to Jenny.

She sighed and she swore that she never would deceive me,

but the Devil take the women, for they never can be easy

[chorus]

I went into my chamber, all for to take a slumber,

I dreamt of gold and jewels and for sure it was no wonder.

But Jenny drew me charges and she filled them up with water,

Then sent for Captain Farrell to be ready for the slaughter.

[chorus]

T'was early in the morning, just before I rose to travel,

Up comes a band of footmen and likewise Captain Farrell.

I first produced me pistol, for she'd stolen away me rapier,

But I couldn't shoot the water so a prisoner I was taken.

[chorus]

Now there's some take delight in the carriages a-rollin',

And others take delight in the hurley and the bowlin'.

But I take delight in the juice of the barley,

And courting pretty fair maids in the morning bright and early

[chorus]

If anyone can aid me, t'is my brother in the army,

If I can find his station in Cork or in Killarney.

And if he'll go with me, we'll go roving in Kilkenny,

And I'm sure he'll treat me better than me darling sportling Jenny

[chorus]

The version of the song as published by Alan Lomax in "The Folk Songs of North America", in which our humble narrator escapes his imprisonment and takes to the "good life", is sung with the following lyrics:

As I was going over Gilgarra Mountain

I met Colonel Pepper and his money he was counting

I drew forth my pistols and I rattled my sabre

Saying 'Stand and Deliver', for I am a bold deceiver!"

[Chorus]

Musha ringum duram da

Whack! fol de daddy-o

There's whiskey in the jar

The shining golden coins did sure look bright and jolly

I took the money home and I gave it to my Molly

She promised and she swore that she would not deceive me

But the Divil's in the women and they never can be easy

[Chorus]

Now when I awakened between the hours of six and seven

Guards were standing round me in numbers odd and even

I flew to my pistols, but, alas, I was mistaken

For I fired off my pistols and prisoner was taken

[Chorus]

They put me in jail without judge or writing

For robbing Colonel Pepper on Gilgarra mountain

But they didn't take my fists, so I knocked down the Sentry

And I bid a long farewell to that Judge in Sligo town

[Chorus]

Some take delight in the fishing and bowling

Others take delight in the carriage and rolling

But I take delight in the juice of the barley

Courting pretty girls in the morning so early

[Chorus]

"American" Lyrics

The lyrics of the American version of this song, featuring patriotic soldier Alan McCollister as the protagonist, tragically ends as follows:

As McCollister was walking up the gallows ladder

He called to the sheriff for his Irish cap and feather

Saying, 'I have robbed many a man, but I never killed any

And now I must be hung for the taking of their money.'

Thin Lizzy Lyrics

Thin Lizzy's version, especially Metallica's cover, is extremely popular in dance clubs. Although the content is mostly the same, the lyrics stray from the lyrics above. The most notable difference is that it features a girl named Molly, not Jenny.

As I was going over the Cork and Kerry mountains

I saw Captain Farrell and his money he was countin'

I first produced my pistol and then produced my rapier

I said "stand and deliver or the devil, he may take ya"

Chorus

Musha ring dum-a-do-dum-a-da

Whack for my daddy-o

There's whiskey in the jar-o

I took all of his money and it was a pretty penny

I took all of his money and I brought it home to Molly

She swore that she'd love me, never would she leave me

But the devil take that woman, for you know she tricked me easy

[chorus]

Being drunk and weary, I went to Molly's chamber

Taking my money with me but I never knew the danger

For about six or maybe seven, in walked Captain Farrell

I jumped up, fired my pistols, and I shot him with both barrels,

[chorus]

Now some men like the fishin', and some men like the fowlin'

And some men like to hear, to hear the cannonballs a-roarin'

Me: I like sleepin', especially in my Molly's chamber

But here I am in prison, here I am with a ball and chain, yeah

[chorus]