Whiskey Blog

“Whiskey is the Jar” is the name of a traditional Irish song that tells a story about a highwayman. In the song, the highwayman robs a government officer. He is then turned in by a woman who is probably his wife or girlfriend. At the end of the song, the highwayman has been sent to prison for his crimes.
There are a few different versions of Whiskey in the Jar. The lyrics in each version are fairly similar. However, the names of some of the characters are different. In one version, the womans name is Molly and the government officer’s name is Col. Pepper. The other version has a government officer named Captain Farrell and a woman named Jenny. A few other lyrics are different in the versions in order to create a good rhyme or rhythm around the differing names. The following lyrics were taken from wikipedia.com.

VERSION 1
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
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]

VERSION 2

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 I am a bold deceiver,
Chorus:
musha ring dumma do damma da
whack for the daddy ‘ol
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]
If anyone can aid me, t’is my brother in the army,
If I can find his station is Kork or in Kilarney.
And if he’ll go with me, we’ll go roving in Kilkenny.
And I’m sure he’ll treat me better than my darling sportling Jenny
[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]