Whiskey in the Jar

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"Whiskey in the Jar" is a famous Irish traditional song about a highwayman (usually in the Cork and Kerry mountains), who is betrayed by his wife or lover. It is one of the most widely performed traditional Irish songs, and has been recorded by groups such as The Dubliners, The Pogues, Peter, Paul and Mary, The Highwaymen, the LeperKhanz, Roger Whittaker, the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, the Poxy Boggards,and The Limeliters. It was also given a rock veneer by Irish rock band Thin Lizzy, with iconic lead singer Phil Lynott in 1973. Thin Lizzy's version has since been covered by U2, Pulp (1995), Smokie, Metallica (1998) and Belle & Sebastian (2006). Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead and David Grisman recorded a Bluegrass cover of this song together.

Lillebjørn Nilsen adapted it to Norwegian, as "Svikefulle Mari", ca. 1970. Finnish band Eläkeläiset recorded a Humppa version called Humppamaratooni.

[edit] History

The song's exact origins are lost in the mists of history. Judging from the mention of a rapier it is likely that the lyrics date back to at least the late eighteenth century. In at least one version, the rapier is replaced with a sabre; the reference to the rapier could have originally referred to a rapaire ("half-pike" in Irish) and the highwayman could have been a rapparee - Irish irregular soldiers and bandits of the 17th and 18th centuries.

In his book The Folk Songs of North America, noted folk music historian Alan Lomax suggests that the song originated in the seventeenth century. As evidence for this, Lomax cites the similarities between "Whiskey in the Jar" and John Gay's The Beggar's Opera, which dates to 1728. Lomax confidently suggests "Whiskey in the Jar" inspired "Beggar's Opera," meaning that by 1728, "Whiskey in the Jar" would have been widely distributed throughout the Celtic world. In regard to the history of the song, Lomax states, "The folk of seventeenth century Britain liked and admired their local highwaymen; and in Ireland (or Scotland) where the gentlemen of the roads robbed English landlords, they were regarded as national patriots. Such feelings inspired this rollicking ballad." Lomax points out the song is about a Robin Hood-like figure, who steals from the rich.

At some point, the song came to the United States, and was a favorite in Colonial America because of its irreverent attitude towards British officials. The American versions are sometimes set in America and deal with American characters. One such version, from Massachusetts, is about Alan McCollister, an Irish-American soldier who is sentenced to death by hanging for robbing British officials.

[edit] Story

"Whiskey in the Jar" is the tale of a highwayman who, after robbing a military or government official (corrupt gov. official "For you are a bold deceiver"), is betrayed by a woman named Jenny or Molly; whether she is his wife or sweetheart is not made clear. Various versions of the song take place in Kerry, Kilmagenny, Cork, Gilgarra Mountain, Sligo Town, and other locales throughout Ireland. The narrator of the song is not usually named. The only consistently named figures are the sweetheart who betrays the narrator, "Jenny"/"Molly", and the Anglo-Irish official, "Captain Farrell"/"Colonel Pepper", neither of which aid in the dating of the song. In some versions, the narrator remains imprisoned for his crime, in other versions, the narrator escapes from prison and flees the town of his imprisonment to pursue his love of 'the good life.' .

[edit] Lyrics

Like most Irish drinking songs, "Whiskey in the Jar" has no single standard set of lyrics. The following is one such example.

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 then produced my rapier
Said stand and deliver, for I am a bold deceiver

But sho rim dabba do dabba da
Whack for the daddy 'ol
Whack for the daddy 'ol
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 said and she swore, that she never would deceive me
But the devil take the women, for they never can be easy

I went into my chamber, all for to take a slumber
I dreamt of gold and jewels and for sure it was no wonder
But Jenny took my charges and she filled them up with water
Then sent for captain Farrel to be ready for the slaughter

It was early in the morning, as I rose up for travel
The guards were all around me and likewise captain Farrel
I first produced my pistol, for she stole away my rapier
But I couldn't shoot the water so a prisoner I was taken

If anyone can aid me, it's my brother in the army
If I can find his station down in Cork or in Killarney
And if he'll come and save me, we'll go roving near Kilkenny
And I swear he'll treat me better than me darling sportling Jenny

Now some men take delight in the drinking and the roving
But others take delight in the gambling and the smoking
But I take delight in the juice of the barley
And courting pretty fair maids in the morning bright and early