Whiskey in the Jar

From Wikisource

Whiskey in the Jar by Eric Bell, Brian Downey and Philip Lynott

"Whiskey in the Jar" is a famous Irish traditional song by Thin Lizzy. This song is about a highwayman (usually in the Cork and Kerry mountains), who is betrayed by his wife or lover. Alan Lomax has suggested that "Whiskey in the Jar" inspired "The Beggar's Opera," meaning that by 1728, "Whiskey in the Jar" would have been widely distributed throughout the Celtic world. — Excerpted from Whiskey in the Jar on Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Like most Irish drinking songs, "Whiskey in the Jar" has no single standard set of lyrics.

[edit] Version 1

As I was going 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 I'm a bold deceiver"

(Chorus)

He counted out his money, and it made a pretty penny
I put it in my pocket and I took it out to Jenny
She sighed and she swore that she never would deceive me
But the devil take that woman, for they never can be easy

(Chorus)

I went into my chamber, all for to take a slumber
I dreamed 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

(Chorus)

It was early in the morning, just before I rose to travel
Up comes a band of footmen and likewise Captain Farrell
I first produced my pistol, for she stole away my rapier
But I couldn't shoot the water so as a prisoner I was taken

(Chorus)

If anyone can aid me, it's my brother in the army
But a new station will be in Cork or in Killarney
And if he'll come to join me, we'll go roving near Kilkenny
And I swear he'd treat me fairer than my army sporting Jenny

(Chorus)
(Chorus)

[edit] Another version

I have been a rover I have been a bold deceiver
Chose to earn my living with my pistols and my rapier
I don't know what I've stolen
But would make a pretty penny
I lost it all to my darling sporting Jenny

I robbed Col. Farrell up on Killgara Mounatain
I took the gold to Jenny just to help me with the countin'
But Jenny called the guards
Lord I never saw so many
I almost lost my freedom and me darling sporting Jenny

I'd like to find me brother he's the one that's in the army
Don't know where he's stationed
Be it Cork or in Killarney
> Swear he'd treat me fairer than me darling sportin' Jenny

'Twas early in the morning at the barracks of Killarney
My brother took his leave
But he didn't ask the army
Our horses they were speeding,
'tis all over but the shoutin'
Now we wait for Farrell up on Killgara Mounatain.

This work published before January 1, 1923 is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.