Whiskey in the Jar
"Whiskey in the Jar" is a famous Irish traditional song about a highwayman (usually in the Cork and 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 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 was also given a rock veneer by Irish rock band Thin Lizzy, with iconic lead singer Phil Lynott in 1972 (Irish release) and 1973 (UK chart success). Thin Lizzy's version has since been covered by U2, Pulp (1995), Smokie, Metallica (1998, their version won a Grammy), Belle & Sebastian, and Gary Moore (2006). Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead and David Grisman recorded a Bluegrass cover of this song together.
Lillebjørn Nilsen adapted it to Norwegian, as "Svikefulle Mari", ca. 1970. Finnish band Eläkeläiset recorded a Humppa version called Humppamaratooni. In 2007 Lars Lilholt Band made a Danish version, called "Gi' mig whiskey in the jar".
History
The song's exact origins are unknown. Judging from the mention of a rapier it is likely that the lyrics date back to at least the late eighteenth century. In at least one version, the rapier is replaced with a sabre; 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 17th century. As evidence for this, Lomax cites the similarities between "Whiskey in the Jar" and John Gay's The Beggar's Opera, which dates to 1728. Lomax confidently suggests "Whiskey in the Jar" inspired "Beggar's Opera," meaning that by 1728, "Whiskey in the Jar" would have been 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 but keeps the money for himself.
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.
Story
"Whiskey in the Jar" is the tale of a highwayman who, after robbing a corrupt 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 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 named. The only consistently named figures 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, as in the Garcia/Grisman version.
Lyrics
Whisky In The Jar, by The Dubliners. Lyrics:
As 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)
Whisky In The Jar, by Thin Lizzy. Lyrics:
(Note that the cover by Thin Lizzy varies considerably from the main stream varieties, hence the separate mention.)
As I was going over the Cork and Kerry mountains
I saw Captain Farrell and his money he was counting
I first produced my pistol and then produced my rapier
I said "stand and deliver or the devil he may take you"
Chorus:
Musha rain dum-a-do-dum-a-da
Whack for my daddy-o
Whack for my daddy-o
There's whisky in the jar-o
I took all of his money and it was a pretty penny
I took all of his money, yeah, and I brought it home to Molly
She swore that she loved me, no, never would she leave me
But the devil take that woman, yeah, for you know she tricked me easy
(Chorus)
Being drunk and weary I went to Molly's chamber
Taking Molly with me, but I never knew the danger
For about six or maybe seven, yeah, in walked Captain Farrell
I jumped up, fired my pistols, and I shot him with both barrels, yeah
(Chorus)
Now some men like the fishing and some men like the fowling
And some men like to hear, to hear the cannonball a-roaring
Me I like sleeping, especially in my Molly's chamber
But here I am in prison, here I am with a ball and chain, yeah
(Chorus)
Whisky in the jar-o, yeah
Musha rain dum-a-do-dum-a-da
Musha rain dum-a-do-dum-a-da, hey
Musha rain dum-a-do-dum-a-da
Musha rain dum-a-do-dum-a-da, yeah