Everything about Whiskey In The Jar totally explained
"
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's 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'm a bold deceiver"), is betrayed by a woman named Jenny or Ginny; whether she's his wife or sweetheart isn't 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 isn't 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 and Metallica versions differ 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)
Further Information
Get more info on 'Whiskey In The Jar'.
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