Whiskey in the Jar - guitar chords and comments

Lyrics without distraction HERE

This is the most popular, performed and recorded irish song ever ... maybe with an exception of "Danny Boy", but at least it rules in pubs and on street corners. As with all traditionals, nobody knows the origin, but this one seems to date back to the 17th century. Some regards it to be about the Irish footpad Patrick Fleming, who was executed in 1650, and American folk song collector and folklorist Alan Lomax drew lines to John Gay's 1728 "The Beggar's Opera": Gay being inspired by the fact that robbing English landlords were regarded a patriotic act, and the highwaymen regarded as heroes.   The lyrics vary from one version to another; the place changes, and so do phrases and person's names. This version is leaning on the famous Dubliners and Luke Kelly from the sixties.

G                         Em
as I was a goin' 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 I then produced my rapier
         C                         G
saying "stand and deliver" for he were a bold deceiver
        D                  D7
mush-a ring dum-a do dum-a da
G
whack for my daddy-o
C             Am
whack for my daddy-o
          G     D7      G
there's whiskey in the jar