Watson left the band in 1997 and was replaced by Ashton Geoghagan. Anderson left the band in 1998, and in 1999 Dan Stacey (fiddle, highland step dancing) and Scott Long (highland bagpipes) joined Seven Nations's lineup. Geoghagan was later replaced by Christian "Crisco" Miceli, who rounds out the band's current membership.
The band regularly tours across the US, has appeared on ESPN, CNN, and CBS, and has sold over 125,000 albums without signing to a major label. The band's most successful release to date was And Now It's Come to This, released on Razor & Tie Records.
Whiskey in the Jar
Seven Nations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
TWhiskey in the Jar
(Traditional)
Spoken:
All beside the river deep, the warriors there a vigil keep
When the sun does rise and the day does break
The warriors say "the west's awake"
As I was a rovin' over the Cork and Kerry mountains,
I met with Captain Farrell and his money he was countin'
I first produced my pistol, and then produced my 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.
Well I counted out his money it made a pretty penny
I put it in my pocket and took it home to Jenny
She sighed and she swore that she never would deceive me
But the devil take the women for you know she tricked me easy
I went into me chamber all for to take a slumber
I dreamt of gold and jewels and for sure it was no wonder
For Jenny stole my pistols, she filled them up with water
Then she sent for Farrell to get ready for the slaughter
It was early in the morning, before I rose to travel
The guards all around me and likewise Captain Farrell
I first produced my pistol for she'd stole away my rapier
But I couldn't shoot with water so I prisoner I was taken
I don't know who can aid me, my brother's in the army
I don't know where he's stationed be it Cork or in Killarney
Together we'll go roving o'are the mountains of Killkenney
I know he'd treat me better than me darling' sporting Jenny
It was early in the morning at the barracks in Killarney
My brother took his leave, but he didn't tell the army
The horses they were bought, it's all over but the shouting
Now we wait for Farrell up on Killkenney Mountain
The last stanza of Seven Nations's song Whiskey in the Jar is a traditional Irish folk song that tells the story of an Irish highwayman who robs Captain Farrell and then is betrayed by his lover, Jenny. The singer is on the run from the authorities, and he is seeking refuge with his brother. The song is set against the beautiful backdrop of the Cork and Kerry mountains, and it captures the spirit of the Irish people who fought against the British Empire for their freedom. The final lines of the song, "Now we wait for Farrell up on Killkenney Mountain," suggest that the story is not yet over, and that the highwayman and his brother are preparing for one final battle with their enemies.
Line by Line Meaning
As I was a rovin' over the Cork and Kerry mountains, I met with Captain Farrell and his money he was countin'
While wandering in the Cork and Kerry mountains, I stumbled upon Captain Farrell counting his money
I first produced my pistol, and then produced my rapier. Sayin' stand and deliver for I am your bold receiver
I drew my pistol and sword, threatening Farrell to give up his money
Well shirigim duraham da Wack fall the daddy oh, wack fall the daddy oh There's whiskey in the jar.
Chanting nonsensical words, celebrating the fact that they've acquired whiskey
Well I counted out his money it made a pretty penny I put it in my pocket and took it home to Jenny
I counted his money, it was a large sum. I took it and brought it home to Jenny
She sighed and she swore that she never would deceive me But the devil take the women for you know she tricked me easy
Jenny swore she was faithful, but she fooled and deceived me
I went into me chamber all for to take a slumber I dreamt of gold and jewels and for sure it was no wonder For Jenny stole my pistols, she filled them up with water Then she sent for Farrell to get ready for the slaughter
I fell asleep and dreamed of treasure, but Jenny took advantage of me by emptying my pistols and calling Farrell for help
It was early in the morning, before I rose to travel The guards all around me and likewise Captain Farrell I first produced my pistol for she'd stole away my rapier But I couldn't shoot with water so I prisoner I was taken
When I woke up, guards and Farrell were there. I tried to use my pistol against them, but it was filled with water. I was captured and became a prisoner
I don't know who can aid me, my brother's in the army I don't know where he's stationed be it Cork or in Killarney Together we'll go roving o'are the mountains of Killkenney I know he'd treat me better than me darling' sporting Jenny
I don't know who can help me, but my brother is in the army. We'll roam the mountains of Kilkenney together. He's better than my deceitful girlfriend, Jenny.
It was early in the morning at the barracks in Killarney My brother took his leave, but he didn't tell the army The horses they were bought, it's all over but the shouting Now we wait for Farrell up on Killkenney Mountain
My brother left the army base in Killarney without informing the authorities. We have horses and are just waiting for Farrell to arrive at Killkenney Mountain.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
My Art Process
I was privileged to see this band live in Las Vegas several years ago. They are truly BRILLIANT! I love them with all my heart.
tenhirankei
A rock band that includes bagpipes? Yes!
The Old Gypsy Paddler
I liked this version so much when it came out, and played it so often, my daughter wanted to play it at her wedding.... I talked her out of it, but it will damn sure be played at my wake.
Jason Rogers
This intro to Whiskey In The Jar is so awesome!
shakerpride
Jason Rogers what instrument is that?
Sheila Geiger
Bagpipes
theo229
I love this band, but it disappeared a few years ago. I can't get much of it in stores or the interwebs. I absolutely love the live version of Scotland the Brave with the bagpipes. When the lead singer says about his guitarist, "I knew him when he was 16 going on 37!" Hilarious. Please come to Wilmington, North Carolina. You guys will light this sleepy beach town on fire during tourist season!!
The Old Gypsy Paddler
My daughter wanted this version to be our Father Daughter dance at her wedding....
Maurice Laffin
Love these guys!
Radiance Tyler
beautiful pipes!