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Whiskey in the Jar - Lyrics, Chords, Origin and Recording

Capo at 2nd Fret

Whiskey in the Jar is arguably the second most well known Irish drinking song (I guess you could argue that the most well known is the Wild Rover). The song has been recorded by rock bands (Thin Lizzy and Metallica amongst them) as well as by a whole host of folk musicians, many of whom have Irish roots. One example of the latter is the Dubliners. It has also been performed by countless amateur and semi-professional musicians in pubs and bars around the globe. If I'm being honest, I think the song has been overplayed. However, there is a reason why it has been performed and recorded so many times, and that is because it is a great song with a rousing melody and memorable lyrics. So if you can divorce the song from its baggage, then you are left with a gem.

Nobody really knows with any great certainty when Whiskey in the Jar was written. The earliest 'solid proof' of its existence seems to date from a Broadside ballad in the Bodleian Library collections, Oxford. This was published in the 1840s. However, it is certainly possible that Whiskey in the Jar pre-dates this by some decades.

A little bit of potted history (with apologies to those who know much more than me about this): up until 1922, Ireland was ruled by the British from London. The majority catholic population felt (and were) oppressed by their British protestant masters. An Irish nationalist movement arose, and there were a number of failed up-risings. However, this ultimately culminated in Independence for most of Ireland after world war one. The struggle for freedom and resentment at opression gives the song its context.

The hero of the song is a highwayman who robs a British officer at gunpoint, but who is then betrayed by an unfaithful woman. In this version of the song, he ends up in jail, hoping that his soldier-brother might ride to his rescue. It's possible, though not certain, that the highwayman is actually an Irish irregular ('gorrilla', bandit etc.). In any case, robbing a British soldier would have made him a hero in Irish nationalist eyes. Several different versions of the lyrics exist, including some that have the highwayman / bandit / irregular esaping from jail, and others that transport the setting to pre-revolutionary America.

See this Wikipedia article for more information.

Listen to a recording of the Whiskey in the jar

Chords

Lyrics

As I was a going over the Kilmangeny mountain,
I came on Captain Farrell and his money he was counting.
I first produced me pistol, then I drew me sabre,
Saying, "Stand and deliver for I am the bold deceiver".

Chorus

Singing Ringum, doorum-a-da,

Whack fol the daddy O,

Whack fol the daddy O,
There's whiskey in the jar.

He counted out his money and it made a pretty penny,
I put it in me pocket to take home to darling' Jenny.
She sighed and then she swore that she never would betray me,
But the devil take the women for they always lie so easy.

Repeat Chorus

I went into me chamber all for to take a slumber.
I dreamt of gold and jewels and for sure it was no wonder,
For Jenny drew me charges and she filled them up with water,
And she sent for Captain Farrell to be ready for the slaughter.

Repeat Chorus

It was early the next morning, before I rose to travel,
Up comes e a band of footmen and likewise Captain Farrell.
I goes to draw me pistol for she'd stole away me sabre,
but a prisoner I was taken for I couldn't shoot the water.

Repeat Chorus

Now if anyone can aid me, it's me brother in the army

If I could learn his station, be it Cork or in Killarney

And if he comes and join me, we'll go roving in Kilkenny,

I'll engage he'll treat me fairer than me darling sporting Jenny.

Repeat Chorus

Traditional, arranged by Peter Webster.