traditional
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 regard 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.
as I was a goin' over the far famed Kerry mountains
I met with Captain Farrell and his money he was counting
I first produced my pistol and I then produced my rapier
saying "stand and deliver" for he were a bold deceiver
mush-a ring dum-a do dum-a da
whack for my daddy-o
whack for my daddy-o
there's whiskey in the jar
I counted out his money and it made a pretty penny
I put it in me pocket and I took it home to Jenny
she sighed and she swore that she never would deceive me
but the devil take the women for they never can be easy
I went up to my chamber all for to take a slumber
I dreamt of gold and jewels and for sure it was no wonder
but Jenny drew me charges and she filled them up with water
then sent for captain Farrell to be ready for the slaughter
'twas was early in the morning just before I rose to travel
up comes a band of footmen and likewise captain Farrell
I first produced me pistol for she stole away me rapier
I couldn't shoot the water so a prisoner I was taken
now there's some take delight in the carriages a-rollin'
and others take delight in the hurling and the bowling
but I take delight in the juice of the barley
and courting pretty fair maids in the morning bright and early
if anyone can aid me 't is my brother in the army
if I can find his station in Cork or in Killarney
and if he'll go with me we'll go rovin' through Killkenny
and I'm sure he'll treat me better than my own a-sporting Jenny
For the following CHORD section, fullscreen/horizontal mobile is recommended.
Chords in brackets may be omitted.
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
