Whiskey in the Jar
Celtic Folk Lyrics

As I was a goin' over the far famed Kerry mountains
As I was traversing the Kerry mountains

I met with captain Farrell and his money he was counting
I encountered captain Farrell engaged in counting his money

I first produced my pistol and I then produced my rapier
I brandished my pistol and rapier in quick succession

Saying "Stand and deliver" for he were a bold deceiver
Commanding him to surrender, recognizing him as a fraudster

Mush-a ring dum-a do dum-a da
Nonsensical refrain

Whack for my daddy-o.
Nonsensical refrain

Whack for my daddy-o
Nonsensical refrain

There's whiskey in the jar
There is whiskey to be had

I counted out his money and it made a pretty penny
I tallied his wealth to be a considerable sum

I put it in me pocket and I took it home to Jenny
I pocketed the money and headed back to Jenny

She sighed and she swore that she never would deceive me
Jenny voiced her commitment to honesty

But the devil take the women for they never can be easy
Yet, women often present challenges

I went up to my chamber, all for to take a slumber
I climbed the stairs to my sleeping quarters

I dreamt of gold and jewels and for sure 't was no wonder
I dreamt of riches, which was unsurprising

But Jenny drew me charges and she filled them up with water
Jenny filled my firearm with water, rendering it useless

Then sent for captain Farrell to be ready for the slaughter
She alerted captain Farrell to my helpless state

‘Twas was early in the morning, just before I rose to travel
It was morning when I awoke and was about to depart

Up comes a band of footmen and likewise captain Farrell
A group of soldiers, including captain Farrell, appeared

I first produced me pistol for she stole away me rapier
I initially wielded my pistol, missing my rapier

I couldn't shoot the water, so a prisoner I was taken
Unable to fire, I was apprehended and taken into captivity

Now there's some take delight in the carriages a-rollin'
Some people enjoy riding in fancy carriages

And others take delight in the hurling and the bowling
While others prefer sports like hurling and bowling

But I take delight in the juice of the barley
I, however, enjoy drinking barley-based beverages

And courting pretty fair maids in the morning bright and early
Particularly, I enjoy wooing lovely women in the morning

If anyone can aid me 't is my brother in the army
My brother serving in the army is my best hope for rescue

If I can find his station in Cork or in Killarney
Assuming I can locate his outpost in Cork or Killarney

And if he'll go with me, we'll go rovin' through Killkenny
If he agrees, we'll embark on a journey through Killkenny

And I'm sure he'll treat me better than my own a-sporting Jenny
I'm confident he'll be more trustworthy than my unfaithful lover, Jenny

Alternative Verses
Additional lyrics not directly relevant to the original verses

Being drunk and weary, I went to Jenny's chamber.
Once drunk and fatigued, I visited Jenny's quarters

Taking Jenny with me but I never knew the danger.
I took Jenny with me, unaware of the impending danger

About 6 or 7, well in came Captain Farrell.
Unexpectedly, Captain Farrell arrived with several men

I fired off my pistol and I killed him with both barrels.
I shot and killed him without hesitation

Now some men like fishing and some men they like fouling.
Different folks enjoy various activities, such as fishing or hunting

And some men like to hear the cannonball a roaring.
Other men prefer the sound of booming cannonballs

Me I just like sleeping in my Jenny's chamber.
Personally, I prefer spending the night in Jenny's room

Well, here I am in prison, here I am with the ball and chain-yeah!
Concluding verse, acknowledging being imprisoned with heavy shackles