Whiskey in the jar is one of Ireland’s greatest musical successes! This traditional Irish song is an integral part of the local cultural heritage! It’s so popular, in fact, that we dare you to go to Ireland without hearing it at least three times! Believe us: it’s impossible!
Whiskey in the Jar is one of the great classics played at the Pub! dermot
The origins of the song remain unclear, but specialists attribute its beginnings to the 18th century, due to certain mentions in the text, linked to the historical context of the time.
This is a walk telling the story of an Irish highwayman:
The latter outwits an English colonel, and decides to flee to the Cork/Kerry mountains to join Jenny, the love of his life. Unfortunately for him, she betrays him when he arrives at their refuge. After pledging her love and loyalty to him, she lets him go to bed… and doesn’t fail to alert the authorities and Colonel Farrell himself… Early in the morning, the bandit is forced to surrender… blaming his beloved Jenny for his betrayal, and appears before the judge as soon as possible. He is now imprisoned, condemned to a life of resentment and uncertainty.
The lyrics are rather amusing and worthy of the usual Irish folklore. (The Irish have a peculiar sense of romance, and love to tell stories of love betrayed).
The song quickly became popular, with different versions appearing in different counties of Ireland.
In any case, the song aroused a certain sympathy among the Irish for the famous bandit. For, apart from being a simple thug, he also robbed an English colonel: an act that still commands a certain sympathy in the subconscious of Irish society, given the past conflicts between Ireland and the United Kingdom.
What’s more, the chorus pays tribute to one of Ireland’s most famous drinks: whiskey! The song’s title is clear: it’s about “Whiskey in a jar”, and the chorus seems to celebrate the beverage!
That’s why the Irish are probably so attached to this song: it’s full of references to Irish culture, history and distilling expertise!
That’s all it took to make it a cultural symbol of Ireland!
The Pogues – rufus – cc
Nowadays, after centuries of transmission, Whiskey in the Jar seems to have never aged! It is one of the most popular songs played in Irish pubs and by traditional Irish music groups.
It has even been covered by great artists like The Dubliners, and popularized by famous rock bands like Thin Lizzy, The Pogues and Metallica.
The most popular version of “Whiskey in the Jar” you’ll hear in Irish pubs is the traditional Irish version, which never fails to get the crowd singing the chorus: “Whack for my daddy, oh, there’s whiskey in the jar”.
As I was a going over Gillgarry Mountain,
I spied Colonel Farrell and his money he was countin’.
First I drew me pistol and then I drew me rapier,
Sayin’ stand and deliver for
I am your bold receiver.
Well shirigim duraham da
Wack fall the daddy oh,
wack fall the daddy oh
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 swore she loved me and never would deceive me
But the devil take the women for they always lie so easy.
I went into me chamber all for to take a slumber
To dream of gold and girls and of course it was no wonder.
Me Jenny took me charges and she filled them up with water,
Called on colonel Farrell to get ready for the slaughter.
Next morning early before I rose to travel,
There came a band of footmen and likewise Colonel Farrell.
I goes to draw me pistol for she’d stole away me rapier,
but a prisoner I was taken I couldn’t shoot the water.
They put me into jail with a judge all a writin’
For robbing Colonel Farrell on Gilgarry Mountain.
But they didn’t take me fists so I knocked the jailer down,
And bid a farewell to this tight fisted town.
I’d like to find me brother the one that’s in the army,
I don’t know where he’s stationed in Cork or in Killarney.
Together we’d go roving o’r the mountains of Killkenney,
And I swear he’d treat me better than me darling’ sporting Jenny.
There’s some takes delight in the carriages and rolling,
Some takes delight in the hurley or the bowlin’.
But I takes delight in the juice of the barley,
Courting pretty maids in the morning oh so early.
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