When i was a young las
I met me strapping Jonny.
He was tall and he was handsome
and i looked upon him fondly.
He started is pursuing
and sun we were a'courting.
And when springtime was'a fading
a gold ring I was a'sporting.
Mush-a ring dum-a do dum-a da.
Wack fall the daddy-o,
wack fall the daddy-o.
There's whiskey in the jar.
A year we were betrothed
and the wedding plans were started.
Come hell or come high water
I knew we would not be parted.
But then we were'a married
and I started to grieving'n.
Because me handsome Johnny
had turned to a life of thieving.
Mush-a ring dum-a do dum-a da.
Wack fall the daddy-o,
wack fall the daddy-o.
There's whiskey in the jar.
He traveled of for fortnights,
gathering up his booty.
But I stood beside me husband
for it was me solemn duty.
For years I was'a hoping
his ways ways would be'a mending.
That he would be an honest man
before his life was ending.
Mush-a ring dum-a do dum-a da.
Wack fall the daddy-o,
wack fall the daddy-o.
There's whiskey in the jar.
One day the captain Farrell
on my door he came a'rapping.
He said he would kill my husband
lest I did agree to trapp him.
So I waited until midnight
when my Johnny was a'sleeping.
And I got up in my bed clothes
through the house i was a'creeping.
Mush-a ring dum-a do dum-a da.
Wack fall the daddy-o,
wack fall the daddy-o.
There's whiskey in the jar.
I saw him of that morning
the deception I did cover.
And I bid me Johnny farewell
for me heart still called him lover.
They captured my poor Johnny
and now he lies in prison.
And he say my name in curses
but at least me husbands living.
Mush-a ring dum-a do dum-a da.
Wack fall the daddy-o,
wack fall the daddy-o.
There's whiskey in the jar.
Mush-a ring dum-a do dum-a da.
Wack fall the daddy-o,
wack fall the daddy-o.
There's whiskey in the jar.