Whiskey in the Jar
The Dubliners & Luke Kelly Lyrics
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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 song "Whiskey In The Jar" by the Dubliners is a traditional Irish folk song from the 17th century. It tells the story of a man who meets Captain Farrell while he is counting his money in the mountains. The singer then robs him and takes the money home to his lover Jenny. But Jenny betrays him by filling his ammunition with water and alerts Captain Farrell of her lover's location. The singer is then captured by a band of footmen and Captain Farrell who took away his sword, making him defenseless.
The song has a fast-paced, upbeat rhythm which is perfect to dance along to. The repeated refrain, "Mush-a ring dumb-a do dumb-a da, wack fall the daddy-o" adds to the song's liveliness. The mention of whiskey throughout the song highlights its importance in Irish culture. The song also portrays typical themes of Irish folk songs such as robbery, betrayal, and romance.
Line by Line Meaning
As I was a goin' over the far famed Kerry mountains
While trekking across the popular Kerry Mountains
I met with captain Farrell and his money he was counting
I stumbled upon Captain Farrell counting his wealth
I first produced my pistol and I then produced my rapier
I showed my weapons to intimidate him
Saying "Stand and deliver" for he were a bold deceiver
Threatening him to surrender since he’s a cheater
Mush-a ring dumb-a do dumb-a da
Wack fall the daddy-o, wack fall the daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar
Indicating that the situation called for some alcohol
I counted out his money and it made a pretty penny
I counted his coins, and it amounted to a considerable sum
I put it in me pocket and I took it home to Jenny
I swiped the loot and took it back to my lover Jenny
She sighed and she swore that she never would deceive me
She promised me that she'll never betray my trust
But the devil take the women for they never can be easy
But I can’t help but curse women, they're never simple
I went up to my chamber, all for to take a slumber
I went to bed to catch some sleep
I dreamt of gold and jewels and for sure 't was no wonder
I had a dream of riches and luxury, unsurprisingly
But Jenny blew me charges and she filled them up with water
But Jenny messed up my weapons by filling them with water
Then sent for captain Farrell to be ready for the slaughter
She alerted Farrell to get ready for a fight
And 't was early in the morning, just before I rose to travel
It was early in the morning when I was getting ready to leave
Up comes a band of footmen and likewise captain Farrell
Suddenly, foot soldiers and Captain Farrell appeared on the site
I first produced me pistol for she stole away me rapier
I took out my gun as Jenny stole my sword
I couldn't shoot the water, so a prisoner I was taken
I couldn't use my gun against water, so they arrested me
There's some take delight in the carriages a rolling
and others take delight in the hurling and the bowling
but I take delight in the juice of the barley
courting pretty fair maids in the morning bright and early
There are those who enjoy carriages or sports, but I prefer drinking barley to wooing lovely ladies in the morning
And if anyone can aid me 't is 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' through Killkenney
And I'm sure he'll treat me better than my own a-sporting Jenny
If anyone can assist me, it’ll be my brother in the army. If I can locate him, we’ll leave to roam Killkenney, and he'll be kinder to me than my treacherous Jenny
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, 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
@EricCartmanEsquire
I really love how Ronnie's voice complements Luke's voice during the chorus.
@paulsmith5752
Ronnie sounds like he's had a rough night... again...
@eckdolmick5781
@@paulsmith5752 Ronnie's voice is like dragging metal across concrete.
@jp8356
Luke Kelly was a gem
@BM-qf6rx
So true
@Blood0cean
Did he die early or smth? I noticed other lineups were just 4.
@stevefrench8370
Luke Kelly was epic. RiP sir.
@eriktegnanderandresen7393
@@Blood0cean he died in 84, was only 44 years old
@rudycarlson8245
@@eriktegnanderandresen7393 what happened how did he die?
@clivemilson2372
Ronnie Drew's voice is amazing. A one off. I loved them.