The Limeliters' Lyrics

Gilgarry Mountain 
Whiskey in the Jar (Darlin' Sportin' Jenny)

Lyrics From the album  Sing Out! 1962  (Traditional)  

There are many versions (and titles!) of this wonderful Irish folk song. The Limeliters' used this rousing version of this traditional Irish folk ballad.

I have been a rover, I have been a bold deceiver
And now I earn my livin' with my pistol and my rapier
I don't know what I've stolen, but 'twould make a pretty penny
And now I've lost it all to my darlin' sportin' Jenny
Musha rig um du rum da
Whack fol the daddy-o
Whack fol the daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar

I robbed Colonel Farrell up on Gilgarry Mountain
I took the gold to Jenny just to help me with the countin'
But Jenny called the guards, Lord, I've never saw so many 
I almost lost my freedom with my darlin' sportin' Jenny
Musha rig um du rum da
Whack fol the daddy-o
Whack fol the daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar

I'd like to find me brother, he's the one that's in the army
I don't know where he's stationed, be it Cork or in Kilarney
Together we'd go rovin' o'er the mountains of Kilkenny
I'd swear he'd treat me fairer than my darlin' sportin' Jenny
Musha rig um du rum da
Whack fol the daddy-o
Whack fol the daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar

'Twas early in the morning at the barracks of Kilarney
My brother took his leave but he didn't tell the army
Our horses, they were speedy, 'twas all over but the shoutin'
Now we make our livin' up on Gilgarry Mountain
Musha rig um du rum da
Whack fol the daddy-o
Whack fol the daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar
Musha rig um du rum da
Whack fol the daddy-o
Whack fol the daddy-o
There's whiskey in the jar

Thanks to Jim Griffin for transcribing these lyrics for our website!