Whisky in the Jar - An old Irish folk-song from the 1700s

'Whisky in the Jar' is a very popular Irish traditional song presumably from the 1700s. Many professional artists and bands have recorded this song in the recent history. There have been very many different versions of this song as well.

My favorite version is the one sung by Jerry Garcia for the 'Grateful dead'. Ive given the lyrics they sing at the bottom of this post:
Grateful Dead - Whiskey In The Jar - YouTube

According to Wikipedia, "The song first gained wide exposure when the Irish folk band The Dubliners performed it internationally as a signature song, and recorded it on three albums in the 1960s. Building on their success, the Irish rock band Thin Lizzy hit the Irish and British pop charts with the song in the early 1970s. The American metal band Metallica brought it to a wider rock audience in 1998 by playing a version very similar to that of Thin Lizzy's with a heavier sound, and won a Grammy for the song in 2000 for Best Hard Rock Performance."

The lyrics to this song also vary a lot. Here is the traditional lyrics Ive found:
http://www.lyricsfreak.com/t/thin+lizzy/whiskey+in+the+jar_20136695.html

Wiki link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiskey_in_the_Jar

Dubliners version. This has a real folk song feel to it:
The Dubliners - Whiskey In The Jar - YouTube

Thin Lizzy version. This is more guitar centric:
Whisky in the Jar Thin Lizzy - YouTube

Metallica's is a more intense version as you would guess:
Metallica - whiskey in the jar + Lyrics - YouTube

A high quality live performance of this song. Worth listening to:
The Killdares "Whiskey In The Jar" Live at the Granada Theater - YouTube

Here are a few other versions:
Whiskey in the Jar - Folk version - YouTube
Celtic Mayhem - "Whiskey In The Jar" - Camelot Days 2008 - YouTube
WHISKEY IN THE JAR - COUNTRY COVER - YouTube


Lyrics used by the Grateful dead:

As I was a-goin' over Gilgarra mountains
I met Colonel Pepper and his money he was counting
I drew forth my pistol and I rattled my sabre
Saying "stand and deliver, for I am a bold deceiver"

Chorus

Musha ringum duram da
Whack fol de daddy-o
Whack fol de daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar

The shining yellow coins did sure look bright and jolly
I took the money home and I gave it to my Molly
She promised and she vowed that she never would deceive me
But the devil's in the women for they never can be easy

[chorus]

When I awoke between the hours of six and seven
Guards were standing 'round me in numbers odd and even
I flew to my pistols, but alas I was mistaken
I fired off my pistols and a prisoner was taken

[chorus]

They put me in jail without a judge or jury
For robbing Colonel Pepper in the morning so early
They didn't take my fist so I knocked down the sentry
And I bid a long farewell to that cold penitentiary

[chorus]

Some take delight in fishing and bowling
Others take delight in carriage a-rollin'
I take delight in the juice of the barley
Courting pretty women in the morning so early