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Whiskey in the jar - A classic
"Whiskey in the Jar" has become one of the most famous songs ever to be recorded and has trancended from traditional Irish folk song to the world of rock. It's one of those songs that wherever we live, or how old we are we know or remember! Take a look at this version by the Dubliners which really sums up Irish traditional folk music.
The SongWhiskey in the jar is the tale of a highwayman who, after robbing a military or government official ("for I am a bold deceiver"), is betrayed by a woman named Jenny or Ginny; whether she is his wife or sweetheart has never been clear. Various versions of the song take place in Kerry, Kilmagenny, Cork, Gilgarra Mountain, Sligo Town, and other towns throughout Ireland It's also sometimes placed in the American South, in various places among the Ozarks or Appalachians,and this is because the Irish were amongst some of the earliest settlers in America. The only consistently named figures in the song are the sweetheart who betrays the narrator, "Jenny/Ginny", and the Anglo-Irish official, "Captain Farrell", neither of which aids in the dating of the song. The song ends with the narrator dreaming of escape and fleeing the town of his imprisonment to pursue his love of 'the good life.' The Thin Lizzy version differs from the traditional one by dropping two verses and changing the lyrics of the second and third verse into a different interpretation of the story while sticking to the main idea slightly. They also change the name of the female lover from Jenny to Molly The song has been recorded by folk groups such as The Dubliners, The Pogues, Peter, Paul and Mary, The Seekers, The Highwaymen, Roger Whittaker, the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, The Irish Rovers, the Poxy Boggards, Seven Nations, The Limeliters, King Creosote, and the Brobdingnagian Bards. It’s also been recorded by such rock legends as Thin Lizzy and Metallica.
Lyrics as sung by The DublinersAs I was a goin' 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 Saying "Stand and deliver" for he were a bold deceiver Chorus: Mush-a ring dum-a do dum-a da Whack for my daddy-o. Whack for my daddy-o 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 up to my chamber, all for to take a slumber I dreamt of gold and jewels and for sure 't 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 stole away me rapier I couldn't shoot the water, so a prisoner I was taken Chorus: Now there's some take delight in the carriages a rolling and others take delight in the hurling and the bowling 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 rovin' through Killkenny And I'm sure he'll treat me better than my own a-sporting Jenny Chorus:
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