The Dubliners started off in O'Donoghue's pub in Dublin in 1962 under the name of "the Ronnie Drew Folk Group". Then they were four, Ronnie Drew (vocals and guitar), Luke Kelly (vocals and 5-string banjo), Barney McKenna (tenor banjo, mandolin, melodeon and vocals) and Ciarán Bourke (vocals, guitar, tin whistle and harmonica). In 1963, they played at the Edinburgh festival where they met the head of Transatlantic Records, Nathan Joseph, for whom they started recording. In 1964, Luke Kelly left, and Bobby Lynch (vocals and guitar) and John Sheahan (fiddle, tin whistle, mandolin, concertina, guitar and vocals) were added. When Luke Kelly returned and Bobby Lynch left in 1965, we have what is considered as the original Dubliners, five individualists, five men whose talents were mixed together in a superb blend and just wanted to play and have a good craic. If they only knew what was awaiting them!
In 1967 their major breakthrough came as a result of a coincidence. Their song, "Seven Drunken Nights" which was recorded in one take, was snapped up by a pirate radio station which started playing it along with the Beatles, the Mamas & the Papas, the Who, the Kinks and Jimi Hendrix. Suddenly, The Dubliners was a major band, playing all over the world, getting into the charts, and receiving gold discs. Not what you expected from a bunch of hairy people who "looked like they'd just been dragged out of a seedy bar via a hedge(backwards) and dropped on London from a very great height".(Colin Irwin in the reissue of "Live at the Albert Hall")
The seventies started like the sixties ended; wild touring, drinking, playing. They started doing regular tours, and they were still recording, of course. Then, in 1974, Ciarán Bourke collapsed on stage with a brain haemmorrage, which eventually led to his death. He first, though, recovered remarkably , and was back on stage with The Dubliners, but collapsed again. At the same time, Ronnie decided to take a break, and Jim McCann took his and Ciaráns place in the group.
In 1979, Ronnie decided to make a comeback as a member of the group, although he probably never really left it. In the five years, he had recorded two solo albums, and The Dubliners three albums. With Ronnie returning, Jim left, and The Dubs were almost back where they started. Then Luke Kelly became ill, he collapsed on stage with a brain tumour, for which he received surgery several times. He too, made remarkable recoveries, and went on touring with the Dubliners, at the same time continuing his wild and unhealthy lifestyle. Seán Cannon, a long time friend, stepped in for Luke, when he couldn't be on stage. Seáns appearence wasn't that well received by the audiences at the beginning, but he has later turned out to be an important addition to The Dubliners, and their repertoir. In 1984, Luke Kelly died, but The Dubliners, now with Seán Cannon as a member, decided to keep on.
1987 turned out to be one of the best - and busiest - years for the Dubliners. Their long time friend, and guest musician, Eamonn Campbell (29 November 1946 – 18 October 2017), brought the group together with the Pogues on the hit single the Irish Rover. This single took the Dubliners back to the charts, and also gave them a completely new audience; people who weren't even born when The Dubliners started off. And with Dublin celebrating its milennium in 1988, The Dubliners also received more attention than for years. Eamonn Campbell joined them on regular basis, a move which has turned out to be one of the most important in their history. In 1988 Ciarán Bourke died, after years of pain and difficulties. He always was, and still is very much remembered by The Dubliners, just like Luke Kelly is.
The eighties finished off with rumours that The Dubliners were to retire, probably something that's always been following the group. However, they didn't, and celebrated their 30th anniversary in 1992, with a double cd and extensive tour. The nineties have later brought a tour video from the German tour 1995, and the "shock" news that Ronnie Drew was leaving. He left in December 1995, after releasing a superb album, "Dirty Rotten Shame" a few months earlier.
Now, even the most optimistic Dubliners fans thought it was the end, but the remaindours decided to convince Paddy Reilly to join them, and they continued their busy touring and recording schedule. This move has also turned out to be excellent. Paddy, not very well known in Europe, had never been touring there, so he too enjoyed the experience, as well as being part of a band. He still, though, does tours in the USA in the winter and summermonths.
2002, they temporarily reunited with Ronnie Drew and Jim McCann, for their 40th anniversary tour. They made a string of appearances on Irish television throughout this time, including a memorable appearance with Phil Coulter and George Murphy on RTÉ 1.
After the tour, Jim McCann was diagnosed with throat cancer and, though he fully recovered, his voice was severely damaged, and he has not been able to sing since his illness
In 2005, Paddy Reilly moved to the United States, and Patsy Watchorn joined the group. Watchorn made a name for himself with The Dublin City Ramblers; like Kelly, he accompanies his songs on the five-string banjo.
The band toured Europe every year. A planned tour of Denmark two weeks after the death of McKenna on 5 April 2012 went ahead as planned. From the first show in Copenhagen on 18 April onwards he was replaced by the Irish banjo player Gerry O'Connor.
The band celebrated their 50th anniversary with an extensive year-long European tour and the release of a live DVD recorded live at Dublin's Vicar Street.
In the fall of 2012 the band announced their retirement, effective after their 50th anniversary shows at the end of the year. The Dubliners played the final shows at Vicar Street in Dublin on 28/29/30 December 2012 the band were joined by former band member Jim McCann.
The band made their final TV appearence in the UK on the BBC's New Year's Eve edition of Jools Holland Annual Hootenanny' on 31 December. Their last public appearance as the Dubliners was on 27 January 2013 in memory of Barney McKenna. The remaining members Sean Cannon, Eamonn Campbell, Patsy Watchorn and Gerry O'Connor continue to tour Europe in 2013/14.
People probably don't recognize what The Dubliners have meant to the world of music. By the way, not only the world of music, but the world as a whole. They have first of all paved the way for dozens of bands from Ireland and Scotland, like the Chieftains, the Pogues, U2, Ossian, the Fureys and so on. The number of artists that list The Dubliners as one of their major influences and idols, is endless. They have brought folk music to millions of people all over the world, people who never would have been interested at all. That isn't only because of the folk music, the instrumentals alone, it's because of The Dubliners, their astonishing voices, their undescribable instrumentals, the wild life style and drinking, late sessions, their enormous beards, their extensive touring, their charisma and characters. It was, and still is to a certain extent, a blend the world will never see again.
The Dubliners have brought Ireland to the world in a way that no emigration has, they have brought the world to Ireland, and they have brought people all over the world closer together. Whenever it ends, the world will never be the same again.
Whiskey in the Jar
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 my pistol and I then produced my rapier
Saying "Stand and deliver" for he were a bold deceiver
Mush-a ring dumb-a do dumb-a da
Whack fall the daddy-o, whack fall the daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar
I counted out his money and it made a pretty penny
I put it in me pocket and I took it home to Jenny
She sighed and she swore that she never would deceive me
But the devil take the women for they never can be easy
Mush-a ring dumb-a do dumb-a da
Whack fall the daddy-o, whack fall the daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar
I went unto my chamber, all for to take a slumber
I dreamt of gold and jewels and for sure it was no wonder
But Jenny drew me charges and she filled them up with water
Then sent for captain Farrell to be ready for the slaughter
Mush-a ring dumb-a do dumb-a da
Whack fall the daddy-o, whack fall the daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar
'Twas early in the morning, just before I rose to travel
Up comes a band of footmen and likewise captain Farrell
I first produced me pistol for she'd stolen away me rapier
But I couldn't shoot the water, so a prisoner I was taken
Mush-a ring dumb-a do dumb-a da
Whack fall the daddy-o, whack fall the daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar
Now there's some take delight in the carriages a rollin'
And others take delight in the hurling and the bowling
But I take delight in the juice of the barley
And courting pretty fair maids in the morning bright and early
Mush-a ring dumb-a do dumb-a da
Whack fall the daddy-o, whack fall the daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar
If anyone can aid me 'tis my brother in the army
If I can find his station in Cork or in Killarney
And if he'll go with me, we'll go rovin' in Kilkenney
And I'm sure he'll treat me better than me own me sportin' Jenny
Mush-a ring dumb-a do dumb-a da
Whack fall the daddy-o, whack fall the daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar
Mush-a ring dumb-a do dumb-a da
Whack fall the daddy-o, whack fall the daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar
The Dubliners' Whiskey in the Jar is a traditional Irish folk song that tells the story of a highwayman who robs a corrupt English official, only to be betrayed by his lover and ultimately captured. The opening verse introduces the singer as he encounters Captain Farrell counting his money. Drawing his pistol and rapier, he demands the money, believing Farrell to be a thief. The chorus, "Mush-a ring dumb-a do dumb-a da, whack fall the daddy-o, whack fall the daddy-o, there's whiskey in the jar," seems to be a nonsensical chant that loosely accompanies the story.
After robbing Farrell, the singer takes the money home to his lover Jenny, who promises never to deceive him. However, she later washes out his gunpowder and reveals his plan to Farrell. In the final verse, the singer is captured and sentenced to death. The chorus is repeated several times, and the singer laments his love of whiskey and women. The song ends with him asking for help from his brother in the army, hoping to escape to Kilkenny.
Whiskey in the Jar has been covered numerous times by different artists and remains one of Ireland's most famous folk songs. It has also been suggested that the song may have originated in the 17th century and was rewritten several times over the years. Nevertheless, it continues to be popular, providing a glimpse into Ireland's cultural heritage and history.
Line by Line Meaning
As I was a goin' over the far famed Kerry mountains
I was traveling over the famous Kerry mountains
I met with Captain Farrell and his money he was counting
I came across Captain Farrell counting his money
I first produced my pistol and I then produced my rapier
I showed my weapons to Captain Farrell
Saying 'Stand and deliver' for he were a bold deceiver
I demanded that Captain Farrell surrender his money, as I knew he was a liar
Mush-a ring dumb-a do dumb-a da
Whack fall the daddy-o, whack fall the daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar
This is a refrain that implies the presence of whiskey in the story
I counted out his money and it made a pretty penny
I put it in me pocket and I took it home to Jenny
I took Captain Farrell's money, put it in my pocket, and brought it home to my wife Jenny
She sighed and she swore that she never would deceive me
But the devil take the women for they never can be easy
Jenny assured me that she would never betray me, but I still doubted her loyalty due to past experiences with women
I went unto my chamber, all for to take a slumber
I dreamt of gold and jewels and for sure it was no wonder
I went to sleep and had a dream about wealth, which was not surprising given my recent acquisition of Captain Farrell's money
But Jenny drew me charges and she filled them up with water
Then sent for Captain Farrell to be ready for the slaughter
Jenny tricked me by filling my weapons with water and then signaled to Captain Farrell to prepare for my attack
'Twas early in the morning, just before I rose to travel
Up comes a band of footmen and likewise Captain Farrell
Early the next morning, a group of footmen and Captain Farrell came to apprehend me
I first produced me pistol for she'd stolen away me rapier
But I couldn't shoot the water, so a prisoner I was taken
I tried to use my pistol, but my sword had been stolen and replaced with water, so I was unable to defend myself and captured
Now there's some take delight in the carriages a rollin'
And others take delight in the hurling and the bowling
But I take delight in the juice of the barley
And courting pretty fair maids in the morning bright and early
Everyone has their own interests and pleasures, and for me, it's drinking barley juice and pursuing romantic relationships
If anyone can aid me 'tis my brother in the army
If I can find his station in Cork or in Killarney
And if he'll go with me, we'll go rovin' in Kilkenney
And I'm sure he'll treat me better than me own me sportin' Jenny
If I can locate my brother in the army, I'm confident he'll be a better ally than my unfaithful wife Jenny, and together, we can go have fun in Kilkenney
Mush-a ring dumb-a do dumb-a da
Whack fall the daddy-o, whack fall the daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar
The refrain repeats, reinforcing the presence of whiskey in the story
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Anthem Entertainment, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jeremy Max Finer, Philip Chevron, James Thirkhill Fearnley, Darryl Gatwick Hunt, Andrew David Ranken, Peter Spider Stacey, Terry Woods, Dp, Eamonn Francis Campbell, John Edmund Sheahan, Ronald Joseph Drew, Shane Patrick Lysaght Mac-Gowan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@peterlewis3540
I went backstage to meet them, during their farewell tour, when they visited Llandudno in North Wales.
That's an occasion you will never forget, they all signed my cd, and were so hospitable, so so friendly, it was a magical experience, talking and meeting musicians you really admired.
Il never forget that as long as i live.
@pablophelps2115
A nadie le importa eso. Contá si escabiaste piola
@sabinerohlfs3253
Ich wünschte, dies hätte ich je erleben dürfen, soviel Liebe, Leben, Leidenschaft, einfach einmalig!
@sheikhyaboooty
A perfect example of how things pickled in alcohol stay fresh for a long long time.
@raymondfink9580
Couldn’t put it better
@chiccachannel
🤣🤣🤣
@derekmarshall8621
😂😂
@guantanamoe5568
Yeah, while I die from it.
@bettinagerloff1379
😅😅😅
@williampalchak7574
Holy Hell. I remember this from singing around night time bon fires in the early '60's with family and friends. I didn't know the words but the adults surely did.