Whiskey in the Jar

The Dubliners

About Whiskey in the Jar

"Whiskey in the Jar" is an Irish traditional song set in the southern mountains of Ireland, often with specific mention of counties Cork and Kerry. The song, about a rapparee (highwayman) who is betrayed by his wife or lover, is one of the most widely performed traditional Irish songs and has been recorded by numerous artists since the 1950s. The song first gained wide exposure when the Irish folk band The Dubliners performed it internationally as a signature song, and recorded it on three albums in the 1960s. In the U. S., the song was popularized by The Highwaymen, who recorded it on their 1962 album Encore. The Irish rock band Thin Lizzy hit the Irish and British pop charts with the song in 1973. In 1990, The Dubliners re-recorded the song with The Pogues with a faster rocky version charting at No.4 in Ireland and No.63 in the UK. The American metal band Metallica in 1998 played a version very similar to that of Thin Lizzy's, though with a heavier sound, winning a Grammy for the song in 2000 for Best Hard Rock Performance. In 2019, Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams performed a cover of the song on his album Shine a Light. 


Year:
1998
2:44
15,109 
#4

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As I was a goin' over the far famed Kerry mountains
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
Wack fall the daddy-o, wack 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
Wack fall the daddy-o, wack fall the daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar

I went up to 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 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
Wack fall the daddy-o, wack fall the daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar

And 't was 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 stole away me rapier
I couldn't shoot the water, so a prisoner I was taken

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

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
and courting pretty fair maids in the morning bright and early

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

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

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

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The Dubliners

The Dubliners are an Irish folk band founded in Dublin in 1962. The band started off as The Ronnie Drew Ballad Group, named in honour of its founding member, they subsequently renamed themselves as The Dubliners. The group line-up has seen many changes over their fifty year career. However, the group's success was centred around lead singers Luke Kelly and Ronnie Drew, both of whom are now deceased. The band garnered international success with their lively Irish folk songs, traditional street ballads and instrumentals. The band were regulars on the folk scenes in both Dublin and London in the early 1960s, until they were signed to the Minor Major label in 1965 after backing from Dominic Behan. They went on to receive extensive airplay on Radio Caroline, and e… more »

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Written by: JEREMY MAX FINER, SHANE PATRICK LYSAGHT MACGOWAN, PHILIP CHEVRON, JAMES THIRKHILL FEARNLEY, DARRYL GATWICK HUNT, ANDREW DAVID RANKEN, PETER SPIDER STACEY, TERRY WOODS

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


4 facts about this song

Whiskey in the Jar" by Metallica
1. Heavy Metal Version: The American heavy metal band Metallica covered "Whiskey in the Jar," giving it a stronger, rock feel compared to its traditional sound. 2. Grammy: Metallica's version of the song won the band a Grammy for "Best Hard Rock Performance" in 2000. 3. Garage Inc: The song featured in Metallica's garage rock collection named "Garage Inc." released in 1998. 4. Inspired by Thin Lizzy: James Hetfield has revealed in interviews that Metallica's version was inspired by Thin Lizzy's cover of the song.
Whiskey in the Jar" by The Dubliners
1. Traditional Folk Group: As an Irish folk band, The Dubliners stayed true to the song's traditional Irish roots in their version. 2. Popular Version: The Dubliners' cover of the song remains one of the best-known renditions of "Whiskey in the Jar." 3. Included in Debut Album: They included the song in their debut album "A Drop of the Hard Stuff" released in 1967.
Whiskey in the Jar" by The Pogues
1. Celtic Punk Band: The Pogues, another popular Irish band known for their punk-inspired Celtic music, also covered "Whiskey in the Jar." 2. Unique Style: They infused their unique style into the song, giving it a punk-folk vibe that differed from previous versions.
Whiskey in the Jar" by Thin Lizzy
1. Rock Version: Thin Lizzy, an Irish rock band, gave a rock spin to "Whiskey in the Jar," setting a template that other rock bands would emulate. 2. Chart-Topper: Thin Lizzy's version of the song topped the Irish charts in 1972 and was a hit in several other countries. 3. Breakthrough Song: Despite being a traditional Irish folk song, "Whiskey in the Jar" was Thin Lizzy's breakthrough hit and remains one of the band's most popular songs. 4. Different Interpretation: Thin Lizzy's lead singer, Phil Lynott, disliked the song initially as it detoured from the band's hard rock sound. But later accepted after the song's release and success.

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