- Written by
- [Traditional]
- Language
- English
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Commonly known as "Whiskey in the Jar". This is a tale of an Irish highwayman who robs an English military or government official but is later betrayed by his wife or sweetheart. The song's exact origins are unknown but it is thought to have originated in the 17th Century. Several similarities with another folksong suggest it might have once been specific to the crimes of Patrick Flemming, an Irish highwayman circa 1650, who maimed and killed many travellers before being executed. He was caught because his weapon had been intentionally dampened so it would malfunction.
Different versions of the song are set in various places throughout Ireland and the names of characters also change; the official can be a Captain Farrell or a Colonel Pepper and the highwayman’s companion Molly or Jenny. The details of the betrayal can also differ, such as handing him over to the authorities, hiding his weapon or switching his ammunition. In some cases, he ends up in prison; in other cases, he escapes with his brother and they both hide in the mountains.
Despite its violent content, the song is delivered as a light-hearted celebration of debauchery and is usually a communal sing-along.
At some point in the colonial period, the song was carried to the United States where it was popular for its irreverent attitude toward British officials. Some American versions deal with American characters in American settings such as the Ozarks or Appalachians.
The 1967 release by the Dubliners brought the song to a wide audience and the 1972 arrangement by Thin Lizzy, with Eric Bell's distinct guitar line mimicking Uilleann pipes, has been very influential. - Licensing
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Adaptations
An adaptation is a musical work, which uses elements (music or lyrics) from another musical work.
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Kilgary Mountain written by [Traditional] English 1941
- Toulat se po hvězdách written by Petr Rada Czech 1998
- Gi' mig "whiskey in the jar" written by Lars Lilholt Danish February 11, 2008
- Dag dikke olifant written by Harry van Hoof, Joost Nuissl Dutch 1979
- Kauas vuorten taa written by Kari Pesonen Finnish 1992
- Humppamaratooni written by Toppo Koponen, Jouni Vento, Janne Hurskainen, Lassi Kinnunen Finnish 1997
- Kannu vaakunaa written by Juice Leskinen Finnish 2000
- Pannaan poika porisemaan written by Moog Konttinen Finnish 2019
- Mâche ta chique written by Jean-Michel Rivat, Maurice Fanon French 1965
- William und der Klabautermann written by Elke Martens German 1995
- Svikefulle Mari written by Lillebjørn Nilsen Norwegian July 7, 2003
- Skärsliparsång written by Stefan Demert Swedish 1981
- Nu tar mæ oss n kask written by Lars Persa Swedish 2006
- Ballad om vassa tänder written by Bo Göran Svensson Swedish 2018