Whiskey In The Jar
Patsy Watchorn (The Dubliners) Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I met with captain Farrell and his money he was counting
I first produced me pistol and I then produced my rapier
Saying "Stand and deliver" for he were a bold deceiver
Mush-a ring dum-a do dum-a da
Wack fall the daddy-o, wack fall the daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar
I counted out his money, it made a pretty penny
She sighed and she swore, she never would deceive me
But the devil take those women for they never can be easy
Mush-a ring dum-a do dum-a da
Wack fall the daddy-o, wack fall the daddy-o
There′s whiskey in the jar
I went into my chamber, all for to take a slumber
I dreamt of gold and jewels and for sure 't was no wonder
But Jenny blew me charges and filled them up with water
And sent for captain Farrell to be ready for the slaughter
Mush-a ring dum-a do dum-a da
Wack fall the daddy-o, wack fall the daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar
It was early in the morning, before I rose to travel
Up came a band of footmen and with them captain Farrell
I first produced my pistol for she′d taken away my rapier
I couldn′t shoot the water, so a prisoner I was taken
Mush-a ring dum-a do dum-a da
Wack fall the daddy-o, wack fall the daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar
If anyone can aid me ′t is my brother in the army
If I can find his station, be in Cork or in Killarney
If he'll come and join me, we′ll go rovin' in Killkenny
I′m sure he'll treat me fairer than my own a-sporting Jenny
Mush-a ring dum-a do dum-a da
Wack fall the daddy-o, wack fall the daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar
Some take delight in fishing or bowling
Others take delight in the carriage wheels a rollin′
But I take delight in the juice of the barley
And the purple pretty barmaids
In the mornin′ bright and early
Mush-a ring dum-a do dum-a da
Wack fall the daddy-o, wack fall the daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar
Mush-a ring dum-a do dum-a da
Wack fall the daddy-o, wack fall the daddy-o
There′s whiskey in the jar
The Dubliners' song "Whiskey In The Jar" tells the story of a bandit who robs Captain Farrell as he travels over the Cork and Kerry mountain. The singer describes how he first produced his pistol and rapier and demanded Captain Farrell's money. He then divided the goods and brought them home to his lover, Jenny. However, he soon realizes that Jenny is deceiving him, and she betrays him to the authorities. Upon awakening, the singer is arrested by Captain Farrell and is taken to prison. In the final verse, the singer seeks the aid of his brother in the army to join him in his roving ways, preferring the "juice of barley" and pretty barmaids to the traditional pursuits of fishing and bowling.
The song has become an emblematic representation of Irish culture and identity, and it became a hit for The Dubliners in 1967. It is a traditional Irish song that has been covered by numerous artists, including Thin Lizzy, Metallica, and Grateful Dead. The song has been used in several films and television shows, including in Martin Scorsese's film The Departed, where it is performed by Dropkick Murphys. The song's popularity has transcended generations, as it has been covered by musicians from various genres and backgrounds.
Line by Line Meaning
As I was goin′ over the Cork and Kerry mountains
While traveling through the Cork and Kerry mountains
I met with captain Farrell and his money he was counting
I came across Captain Farrell, who was counting his money
I first produced me pistol and I then produced my rapier
At first, I showed him my gun and then my sword
Saying "Stand and deliver" for he were a bold deceiver
Commanding him to give up his wealth, since I knew he was a liar
Mush-a ring dum-a do dum-a da
Wack fall the daddy-o, wack fall the daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar
Musical refrain
I counted out his money, it made a pretty penny
After counting his money, which was a large sum
I put it in me pocket and I took it home to Jenny
I placed it in my pocket and took it back to my partner, Jenny
She sighed and she swore, she never would deceive me
But the devil take those women for they never can be easy
Although she vowed she was loyal, women cannot be trusted as they are often unfaithful
I went into my chamber, all for to take a slumber
I dreamt of gold and jewels and for sure 't was no wonder
I went to bed and dreamed about riches, which is unsurprising
But Jenny blew me charges and filled them up with water
And sent for captain Farrell to be ready for the slaughter
But Jenny emptied my weapons and prepared to betray me by calling for Captain Farrell
It was early in the morning, before I rose to travel
Up came a band of footmen and with them captain Farrell
Early in the morning, before I could leave, a group of men and Captain Farrell arrived
I first produced my pistol for she′d taken away my rapier
I couldn′t shoot the water, so a prisoner I was taken
I took out my gun, since Jenny had stolen my sword, but I couldn't shoot her with water so I was overpowered
If anyone can aid me ′t is my brother in the army
If I can find his station, be in Cork or in Killarney
The only one who can help me is my brother in the army, provided I can find him in Cork or Killarney
If he'll come and join me, we′ll go rovin' in Killkenny
I′m sure he'll treat me fairer than my own a-sporting Jenny
If he will help me, then we will go on adventures in Killkenny, where I'm sure he will be more trustworthy than my unfaithful partner, Jenny
Some take delight in fishing or bowling
Others take delight in the carriage wheels a rollin′
While some people enjoy fishing or bowling, others enjoy the pleasures of riding in a carriage
But I take delight in the juice of the barley
And the purple pretty barmaids
In the mornin′ bright and early
However, I prefer drinking whiskey and enjoying the company of beautiful barmaids in the morning
Mush-a ring dum-a do dum-a da
Wack fall the daddy-o, wack fall the daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar
Musical refrain
Writer(s): Dp, Peter Spider Stacey, Andrew David Ranken, Luke Kelly, Jeremy Max Finer, Barney Mckenna, Terry Woods, Philip Thomas Ryan, Philip Chevron, Ronnie Drew, Darryl Hunt, Shane Patrick Lysaght Macgowan, Ciaron Bourke, James Fearnley, John Sheehan
Contributed by Ava F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.