As I was goin' over the Cork and Kerry mountains
I saw Captain Farrell and his money he was countin'
I first produced my pistol and then produced my rapier
I said stand o'er and deliver or the devil he may take ya

Musha ring dumb a do dumb a da
Whack for my daddy-o
Whack for my daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar-o

I took all of his money and it was a pretty penny
I took all of his money and I brought it home to Molly
She swore that she'd love me, never would she leave me
But the devil take that woman for you know she tricked me easy

Musha ring dumb a do dumb a da
Whack for my daddy-o
Whack for my daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar-o

Being drunk and weary I went to Molly's chamber
Takin' my money with me and I never knew the danger
For about six or maybe seven in walked Captain Farrell
I jumped up, fired off my pistols and I shot him with both barrels

Musha ring dumb a do dumb a da
Whack for my daddy-o
Whack for my daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar-o

Now some men like the fishin' and some men like the fowlin'
And some men like ta hear a cannon ball a roarin'
Me? I like sleepin' specially in my Molly's chamber
But here I am in prison, here I am with a ball and chain, yeah

Musha ring dumb a do dumb a da
Whack for my daddy-o
Whack for my daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar-o

And I got drunk on whiskey-o
And I love, I love, I love, I love, I love, I love my Molly-o


Lyrics submitted by SantanicoPandemonium

Whiskey In The Jar Lyrics as written by Eric Bell Philip Parris Lynott

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Whiskey in the Jar song meanings
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41 Comments

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  • +3
    General Comment

    Thin Lizzy took a trad song and turned it into a rock track. Metallica took the Thin Lizzy version and made it a bit heavier which I suppose is a perfectly valid thing to do - Metallica's version sounds fine - but I think Thin Lizzy's is slightly better (pos. because its the one I grew up with)

    gsleithon August 12, 2006   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    The afro or the song?

    Best version of this song EVER. Also, for those not from the Celtic lands Screw England. Ireland and Scotland need to revolt this song is about a man stealing from an army captain, taking his earnings to a bar, spending most of it on beer.

    Heres the main difference between the original song and the Thin Lizzy version:

    Original: The mans girlfriend dips his gunpowder in water and hides his rapier. She then gets Captain Farrell to come having an affair with the Captain mabey? and arrest him. Since he can't use wet gun powder he's arrested, and he then talks about how when he gets out he wants to go out adventuring with his brother in the army.

    Thin Lizzy version: Molly apparently had no ties with the Captain, he just happens to of tracked the man to Molly's house apparently they knew each other in both versions, explaining how he knew the Captain's name The man has his rapier and his pistols now, not damaged, and he shoots at the Captain, killing him, then he is thrown in prison for life.

    Also note: I did say Ferrall. In the original song, it's spelled Farrell. In the Thin Lizzy version, its Farrel. Yes, Ferrall is infact a last name, though it is actually Scottish. It's my family name on my dads side.

    Captain Feralon September 23, 2004   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    The sound is awesome in this song. I really dont like the Metallica version, I get what smackdork is saying, but nonetheless I still dislike Metallica muchly. Thin Lizzy shouldn't be touched by them. Anyway awesome song, an old Irish folk song. Love to hear the original.

    productofthe80son October 17, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    its a good irish folk song. the metallica cover was crap i hate metallica.phil lynott is good singer with an afro. its what makes thin lizzy great

    queen fan no1on June 22, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    you WHAT?? Thin Lizzy's version kicks metallica's version's ass!

    xSiddersxon September 20, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    By far the best version (though I love the Thin Lizzy version too) is done by The Dubliners (great voices, banjo and whistle) - pretty raw and trad.

    iolaireon February 08, 2023   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    and what a comment it is!

    Raz0ron April 08, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this is one of the more interesting versions of this song i have heard. they incorporate their double lead guitar into this classic song quite well. it sounds very little like the original or other versions i`ve heard, but still sounds pretty good.

    AirCav1stOfThe9thon April 21, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Probably my favorite song in the entire world, Metallica did an incredible cover of it also

    sandonhelmon May 04, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Thanks Captain Feral! Best analysis on here. But saying screw England? That's a bit harsh. :( And sandonhelm, I disagree. It takes the piss that Metalica did a version of this! I hate it. Thin Lizzy's version rocks.

    AnnaA89on November 06, 2004   Link

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