BARLEYJUICE TRIVIA:
Brewer is the group's frontman. In other lives, he has appeared in Dodge commercials and acted in movies ("Serial Mom" and "Fahrenheit 911") and on TV ("Homicide" and "Hack"). Carbomb owns a kilt-making company on the side.
Nancy Whiskey
Barleyjuice Lyrics
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I am a brash and a roving blade
I've got silver in my britches
And I ply the roving trade
Whiskey, whiskey, Nancy Whiskey
Whiskey, whiskey, Nancy-O
O the whiskey, Nancy Whiskey
As I strode out through Glasgow City
Nancy Whiskey I chanced to smell
I went in, sat down beside her
Seven long years I loved her well
Whiskey, whiskey, Nancy Whiskey
Whiskey, whiskey, Nancy-O
O the whiskey, Nancy Whiskey
Whiskey, whiskey, Nancy-O
The more I kissed her, the more I loved her
The more I kissed her, the more she smiled
Soon I forgot my mother's teaching
Nancy Whiskey had me beguiled
Whiskey, whiskey, Nancy Whiskey
Whiskey, whiskey, Nancy-O
O the whiskey, Nancy Whiskey
Whiskey, whiskey, Nancy-O
Well I rose early in the morning
To slake my thirst, it was my need
I tried to rise but was not able
For Nancy had me by the knees
Whiskey, whiskey, Nancy Whiskey
Whiskey, whiskey, Nancy-O
O the whiskey, Nancy Whiskey
Whiskey, whiskey, Nancy-O
So come you weavers, you Calton weavers
Come all you weavers, where e'er you be
Beware of whiskey, Nancy Whiskey
She'll ruin you like she ruined me
Whiskey, whiskey, Nancy Whiskey
Whiskey, whiskey, Nancy-O
O the whiskey, Nancy Whiskey
Whiskey, whiskey, Nancy-O
Whiskey, whiskey, Nancy Whiskey
Whiskey, whiskey, Nancy-O
O the whiskey, Nancy Whiskey
Whiskey, whiskey, Nancy-O
The song "Nancy Whiskey" by Barleyjuice tells the story of a weaver, a Calton weaver, who is brash and roving. He is a traveler, a wanderer of sorts, who carries silver in his britches and works in the roving trade. He happens to come across a tavern in Glasgow City where he smells the scent of Nancy Whiskey, a woman whom he falls in love with for seven long years. The more he kisses her, the more he loves her, and the more she smiles. He forgets his mother's teachings and becomes beguiled by Nancy Whiskey, much to his own detriment. In the end, she ruins him, and he warns other weavers to beware of the temptation of Nancy Whiskey.
The lyrics of "Nancy Whiskey" are an excellent example of storytelling through song. The weaver's character is well-defined, and the love he has for Nancy Whiskey is palpable. The use of the refrain "Whiskey, whiskey, Nancy Whiskey, Whiskey, whiskey, Nancy-O" creates a sense of camaraderie and community, which is fitting for a song about drinking in a tavern. The lyrics also highlight the dangers of alcohol, particularly for those who have to work with their hands.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a weaver, a Calton weaver
I am a skilled worker who creates fabric by interlacing threads, and specifically I come from the Calton area in Glasgow
I am a brash and a roving blade
I have a confident and bold attitude, and I enjoy traveling and experiencing new things
I've got silver in my britches
I have money in my pockets
And I ply the roving trade
I work as a traveling tradesman
As I strode out through Glasgow City
As I walked through the city of Glasgow
Nancy Whiskey I chanced to smell
I caught the scent of Nancy Whiskey, a type of alcohol named after a woman
I went in, sat down beside her
I entered the establishment selling Nancy Whiskey and took a seat next to it
Seven long years I loved her well
I had a long and deep appreciation for Nancy Whiskey
The more I kissed her, the more I loved her
The more I drank Nancy Whiskey, the more I enjoyed it
The more I kissed her, the more she smiled
The more I drank Nancy Whiskey, the more I felt satisfied and happy
Soon I forgot my mother's teaching
I disregarded the wisdom my mother imparted to me
Nancy Whiskey had me beguiled
I was charmed and enchanted by the effects of drinking Nancy Whiskey
Well I rose early in the morning
I woke up early in the morning
To slake my thirst, it was my need
To satisfy my thirst, which I felt compelled to do
I tried to rise but was not able
I attempted to stand up but was too intoxicated
For Nancy had me by the knees
Nancy Whiskey had such a hold on me that I couldn't stand up
So come you weavers, you Calton weavers
I am warning fellow Calton weavers
Come all you weavers, where e'er you be
I am warning all weavers, regardless of their location
Beware of whiskey, Nancy Whiskey
Be careful when drinking Nancy Whiskey
She'll ruin you like she ruined me
Nancy Whiskey is so potent and addictive that it can lead to ruin, as it did for me
Contributed by Colin P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.