Whiskey In The Jar

Words & Music:

Traditional Irish

 

Thanks to traditionalmusic.co.uk for the words & chords for the original version.  Yes, all you Thin Lizzy, Smokie, Grateful Dead & Metallica fans - this is an ages-old traditional Irish tune.  The Thin Lizzy version is transcribed in the April 2008 issue of Guitar World.

 

   G                    Em

As I was going over the far-famed Kerry mountains,

  C                                G

I met with Captain Farrell and his money he was counting.

  G                            Em

I first produced my pistol and then produced my rapier,

         C                       G

Saying, "Stand and deliver for I am a bold deceiver."

 

CHORUS:

     D                              G

With me ring, am-ah-do, am-ah-dah!  Whack!  Fol-the-daddy-oh!

C                                  G       D      G

Whack!  Fol-the-daddy-oh!  There's whiskey in the jar!

 

He counted out his money and it made a pretty penny.

I put it in my pocket and I gave it to my Jenny.

She sighed and she swore that she never would deceive me,

But the Devil take the women, for they never can be easy.

 

CHORUS:

 

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 drew my charges, she filled them up with water.

She sent for Captain Farrell to be ready for the slaughter.

 

CHORUS:

 

'Twas early in the morning, before I rose to travel,

Up comes a band of footmen and likewise Captain Farrell.

I then produced my pistol, for she stole away my rapier.

But I couldn't shoot the water, so a prisoner I was taken.

 

CHORUS:

 

If anyone can aid me, it's my brother in the army.

If I but knew his station, be it Cork or in Killarney.

And if he'd come and join me, we'd go roving in Kilkenny.

I swear he'd treat me fairer than my darling, sporting Jenny.

 

CHORUS:  [2x]