Whiskey In The Jar – English Lyrics

• By: Metallica
• Album: Garage Inc.

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the vibrant world of Irish storytelling and heavy metal with Metallica's electrifying cover of "Whiskey In The Jar." This song offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich narrative tradition of Irish folk music, transformed by Metallica's signature powerful sound. Learn how a centuries-old tale of betrayal and rebellion is given new life, making it a captivating and energetic piece that encourages appreciation for both linguistic heritage and musical versatility.

[English]

As I was going over the Cork and Kerry mountains

I saw Captain Farrell, his money he was counting

I first produced my pistol, then produced my rapier

I said stand and deliver or the devil, he may take ya

...

I took all of his money and it was a pretty penny

I took all of his money, yeah, and I brought it home to Molly

She swore that she'd love me, no never would she leave me

But the devil take that woman, yeah, for you know she tricked me easy

Mush-a ring dum-a-doo-dum-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

Taking Molly with me, but I never knew the danger

For about six or maybe seven, in walked Captain Farrell

I jumped up, fired my pistols and I shot him with both barrels, yeah

Mush-a ring dum-a-doo-dum-a-da, yeah-yeah

Whack for my daddy-o

Whack for my daddy-o

There's whiskey in the jar-o

...

Yeah-ah, whiskey

Yeah-whoa, whiskey

...

Now some men like the fishing, some men like the fowling

Some men like to hear, to hear the cannon ball a-roaring

Me, I like sleeping 'specially in my Molly's chamber

But here I am in prison, here I am with a ball and chain, yeah

Mush-a ring dum-a-doo-dum-a-da, yeah-yeah

Whack for my daddy-o

Whack for my daddy-o

There's whiskey in the jar-o, yeah

...

Whiskey in the jar-o, yeah

...

Mush-a ring dum-a-doo-dum-a-da

Mush-a ring dum-a-doo-dum-a-da

Hey, mush-a ring dum-a-doo-dum-a-da

Mush-a ring dum-a-doo-dum-a-da, yeah

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
mountains /ˈmaʊn.tɪnz/ B1	noun - Landforms that rise prominently above their surroundings, usually having a summit or peak.
pistol /ˈpɪs.təl/ B2	noun - A small firearm designed to be held in one hand.
whiskey /ˈwɪs.ki/ B2	noun - A distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash.
money /ˈmʌn.i/ A2	noun - A medium of exchange in the form of coins and banknotes.
devil /ˈdɛv.əl/ B1	noun - A supernatural being often considered as the embodiment of evil.
rapier /ˌræp.iˈeər/ C1	noun - A slender sword with a narrow blade, used for thrusting.
chain /tʃeɪn/ A2	noun - A series of connected metal links used for securing or pulling heavy objects.
prison /ˈprɪz.ən/ B2	noun - A building where criminals are kept.
chain /tʃeɪn/ A2	noun - A series of connected metal links used for securing or pulling heavy objects.

Key Grammar Structures

• I saw Captain Farrell, his money he was counting.

  ➔ Past continuous tense.

  ➔ The phrase "he was counting" indicates an action that was ongoing in the past.

• I took all of his money and it was a pretty penny.

  ➔ Simple past tense.

  ➔ The phrase "I took" indicates a completed action in the past.

• But the devil take that woman, yeah, for you know she tricked me easy.

  ➔ Subjunctive mood.

  ➔ The phrase "the devil take" expresses a wish or desire regarding the woman.

• Being drunk and weary I went to Molly's chamber.

  ➔ Present participle phrase.

  ➔ The phrase "Being drunk and weary" describes the state of the subject while performing the action.

• For about six or maybe seven, in walked Captain Farrell.

  ➔ Inversion in sentence structure.

  ➔ The phrase "in walked Captain Farrell" uses inversion to emphasize the action of entering.

• But here I am in prison, here I am with a ball and chain.

  ➔ Present simple for emphasis.

  ➔ The phrase "here I am" emphasizes the speaker's current situation.

• Me, I like sleeping 'specially in my Molly's chamber.

  ➔ Emphatic pronoun.

  ➔ The phrase "Me, I like" emphasizes the speaker's preference.