“Whiskey in the Jar” is without question one of my favourite songs, an Irish classic that has been covered by almost every Paddy band it seems, plus many that aspire to be. To my great pride (and sometimes embarrassment), it was the first song my daughter could sing, age four.
My good-lord-tunderin’ moment came when I first heard the classic Thin Lizzy take in the 1993 film “In the Name of the Father,” a telling of the controversial historical case of alleged IRA terrorists “The Guildford Four.” Other rock renditions of the song range from Metallica to Bryan Adams, but of course it’s the traditional folk versions that resonate most – in particular, The Dubliners, who recorded the tune not once, but three times in the 1960s, turning it into their signature song.
Still, I am always delighted to discover – and share – a worthy new version, this one with an R&Bish treatment (think The Commitments doing it, horns and all) courtesy of the terrific American band Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats and suitably performed at the Jameson whiskey distillery on Bow Street in Dublin, circa 2017.
As for the song’s famously indecipherable line, whack fol the daddy-o – seemingly written and spelled in as many ways as there are people who have tried to translate it – a common guess is that it suggests taking a drink/hit/whack in honour of one’s father.
It’s a sentiment I hope that one day my drinking-age daughter, still remembering the song, will do for me.
LYRICS
As I was ridin’ over the far famed Kerry Mountains
I met with Captain Farrell and his money he was countin’
I first produced my pistol and then I drew my sabre
Said “Stand and deliver for I am a bold deceiver”
Musha ringum durm’da
Whack fol the daddy-o
Whack fol the daddy-o
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 betray me
The devil take the women for they never can be easy
Musha ringum durm’da
Whack fol the daddy-o
Whack fol 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, boys, and sure it was no wonder
But Jenny took my charges and she filled them up with water
Then sent for Captain Farrell to be ready for the slaughter
Musha ringum durm’da
Whack fol the daddy-o
Whack fol the daddy-o
There’s whiskey in the jar
Next day just as I was leavin’, was early in the mornin’
The captain and his soldiers came at me without warnin’
I then produced my pistol, she stole away my sabre
I couldn’t shoot the water so a prisoner I was taken
Musha ringum durm’da
Whack fol the daddy-o
Whack fol the daddy-o
There’s whiskey in the jar
I’d like to find my brother, he’s the one that’s in the army
I don’t know where he’s stationed, is it Cork or in Killarney?
Together we’ll go ridin’ o’er the mountains of Kilkenny
Oh, I know he’ll treat me better than my darlin’ sportin’ Jenny
Musha ringum durm’da
Whack fol the daddy-o
Whack fol the daddy-o
There’s whiskey in the jar
Musha ringum durm’da
Whack fol the daddy-o
Whack fol the daddy-o
There’s whiskey in the jar
There’s some delight in fishin’ and some delight in bowlin’
And some take delight in their carriages a-rollin’
But I take delight in the juice of the barley
And courtin’ pretty girls in the mornin’ bright and early
Musha ringum durm’da
Whack fol the daddy-o
Whack fol the daddy-o
There’s whiskey in the jar
Musha ringum durm’da
Whack fol the daddy-o
Whack fol the daddy-o
There’s whiskey in the jar
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