Whiskey in the Jar
The Blackwater Boys Lyrics
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I met with captain Farrell and his money he was counting
I first produced the pistols, and then produced my rapier
Said stand and deliver, for I am a bold deceiver
Chorus:
Musha ring rumma do ramma da
Whack for the daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar
I counted out his money, and it made a pretty penny
I put it in my pocket and I took it home to Jenny
She promised and she swore that she never would deceive me
But the devil is in the women, for they always can lie easy
Chorus
I went into my chamber, for to take a slumber
I dreamt of gold and jewels and sure it was no wonder
But Jenny stole the charges and she filled them up with water
And send for captain Farrel to be ready for the slaughter
Chorus
Was early in the morning, between six and seven
The guards were around me and numbers are uneven
I sprang for my pistols, but alas I was mistaken
For Jenny took my pistols and the prisoner I was taken
Chorus
(Solo)
Chorus
Now if anyone can help me, it's my brother in the army
If I knew where he was stashin', it's in Cork or in Killarney
And if he'll come and join me, we'll go roving in Kilkenny
And I know he'll treat me better than me darling sporting Jenny
Chorus
Now some takes delight in the hurlin' of the bowlin'
And some takes delight in the carriages a-rollin'
But I take delight in the juice of the barley
And courting pretty girls in the morning bright and early
Chorus
The Blackwater Boys' "Whiskey in the Jar" is a traditional Irish folk song that tells the story of a highwayman who robs a captain named Farrell. The song is set in the countryside of County Cork and begins with the singer recounting his encounter with Farrell, who is in the process of counting his money on Kilkerry mountain. The singer then proceeds to brandish his pistols and rapier and demands that Farrell turn over his riches.
After successfully stealing Farrell's money, the singer returns home to Jenny, his lover. He entrusts her with the stolen goods but falls asleep, only to wake and discover that she has deceived him. He is then apprehended by authorities and taken to prison. The final verse is a plea to the singer's brother, who is in the army, to help him escape.
The song's chorus is a chant that was likely used to keep time while working in the fields, and it has become a popular sing-along for pub-goers worldwide. The repeated phrase "Musha ring rumma do ramma da" has no apparent meaning but is thought to be a nonsensical phrase similar to "Hey nonny nonny" used in other traditional songs.
Line by Line Meaning
As I was going over Kilkerry mountain
I was traveling over Kilkerry mountain
I met with captain Farrell and his money he was counting
I encountered captain Farrell who was counting his money
I first produced the pistols, and then produced my rapier
I showed my pistols and then my rapier
Said stand and deliver, for I am a bold deceiver
I demanded his money as a deceitful threat
Chorus: Musha ring rumma do ramma da Whack for the daddy-o Whack for the daddy-o There's whiskey in the jar
Musical chorus
I counted out his money, and it made a pretty penny
I counted his money and it was a large sum
I put it in my pocket and I took it home to Jenny
I put the money in my pocket and took it to Jenny
She promised and she swore that she never would deceive me
She promised to never deceive me
But the devil is in the women, for they always can lie easy
But women can easily deceive despite their promises
Chorus
Musical chorus
I went into my chamber, for to take a slumber
I went to my room to sleep
I dreamt of gold and jewels and sure it was no wonder
I dreamed of riches and it was not surprising
But Jenny stole the charges and she filled them up with water
Jenny stole the ammunition and filled it with water
And send for captain Farrel to be ready for the slaughter
She alerted captain Farrell to prepare for an attack
Chorus
Musical chorus
Was early in the morning, between six and seven
It was early in the morning, around 6-7am
The guards were around me and numbers are uneven
The guards surrounded me and outnumbered me
I sprang for my pistols, but alas I was mistaken
I tried to grab my pistols but made a mistake
For Jenny took my pistols and the prisoner I was taken
Jenny had taken my pistols and I was taken prisoner
Chorus
Musical chorus
(Solo)
Musical solo
Chorus
Musical chorus
Now if anyone can help me, it's my brother in the army
If anyone can help me, it's my brother in the army
If I knew where he was stashin', it's in Cork or in Killarney
If I knew where he was hiding, it's in Cork or Killarney
And if he'll come and join me, we'll go roving in Kilkenny
If he joins me, we'll go roaming in Kilkenny
And I know he'll treat me better than me darling sporting Jenny
I know he'll treat me better than Jenny
Chorus
Musical chorus
Now some takes delight in the hurlin' of the bowlin'
Some people enjoy hurling bowling balls
And some takes delight in the carriages a-rollin'
Some people enjoy riding in rolling carriages
But I take delight in the juice of the barley
But I enjoy drinking barley juice (whiskey)
And courting pretty girls in the morning bright and early
And I enjoy courting pretty girls early in the morning
Chorus
Musical chorus
Contributed by Audrey W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jay Schubert
Love the Blackwater boys.
TheDougconnor1
best song
Jonathan Woody
which album is all of theses songs on, i had it, and i'm trying to find an instrumental that was on it, i've searched for hours, i know the album had most of the songs you have up fromn black water boys, blarney lads, and waxies darble
acaglumac
I think I have that instrumental.do you know the artist?
Platon Cash
Hey, men! Don't you know, please, who are these guys? I can't find any information about them. Thank you.
KittyMusic
When you know this song from Metallica...
Bob Walker
Whack for di radio