Whiskey In The Jar

Lyrics: Traditional
Music: Traditional

Garcia recorded this with David Grisman for their album Shady Grove. The next day, it bubbled out at a Grateful Dead rehearsal, now released on So Many Roads (1965-1995). The Grateful Dead subsequently soundchecked it twice in 1993 but never played it at a show. More recently (2021) Bob Weir played it with Wolf Bros on St Patrick's Day.

These are the lyrics from Shady Grove:

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

[chorus]

The version on So Many Roads is essentially the same, with some minor differences as highlighted below. It fades in as Jerry is singing the chorus, followed by the last verse, (with the first two lines in the wrong order):

[chorus]

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

[chorus]

Jerry then takes the band through the complete song:

As I was a-walkin' over Gilgarra mountains
I met Colonel Pepper and his money he was counting
I fired off my pistols and I rattled my sabre
Saying "stand and deliver, for I am a bold deceiver"

[chorus]

Them shiny golden 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 and they never can be easy

[chorus]

As I was a-wakin' 'tween the hours of six and seven
Guards were standing 'round my bed in numbers odd and even
I didn't have my pistols so they ... to prison
Da da da da da, da da da da da da da da
[Jerry realises he's got the words wrong!]

[chorus]

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

[chorus]

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

[chorus]

As I was a-ridin' over Gilgarra mountains
I met Colonel Pepper and his money he was counting
I shot off my pistols and I rattled my sabre
Saying "stand and deliver, for I am a bold deceiver"

[chorus]

The version Bob Weir sang with Wolf Bros has some significant differences, and must have been drawn from a different source:

As I was travellin' over Gilgarra mountains
Saw Colonel Pepper and his money he was counting
I drew forth my pistol and I produced my sabre
Saying "stand and deliver, for the devil he may take you"

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

I took all his money, and it was a pretty penny
I took all his money and I brought it home to Molly
She swore that she loved me, for she never would leave me
For the devil's in the women and you know she cut me easy

[chorus]

So being drunk and weary, I went to Molly's chamber
Taking Molly with me, but I never knew the danger
About six or seven, in walked Captain Ferrell
I jumped and fired my pistol, and I shot him with both barrels

[chorus]

Now some men they like their fishing, some like their fowling
Some like to hear the cannon roar and howling
But me, I like sleeping, especially in Molly's chamber
But here I'm in prison, and left with a ball and chain

[chorus]
[chorus]
[chorus]

Grateful Dead Recordings
	Date	Album
	16 Feb 1993	So Many Roads (1965-1995)

Jerry Garcia Recordings
	Date	Album	Recorded By
	15 Feb 1993	Shady Grove	Garcia/Grisman

Backround
There are many versions of this song, sometimes under different titles. The version Jerry sang is essentially the same as the one in "Traditional Folk Songs from the Anne & Frank Warner Collection", but omitting these verses:

I returned to my cave in Gilgarrah Mountain
And left my sweetheart Molly the money a-counting
As I was soundly sleeping, the divil sure may take her
She fired off my pistols and she loaded them with pepper

She told Colonel Pepper where I was a-hiding
And led them to my cave right early in the morning
O Molly, you've deceived me, although I loved you dearly
But you never cared for me; I can see it bright and clearly

Bizarrely, Bob Weir's version seems to have most in common with one by Metallica

Further Information
For more information on recordings see Matt Schofield's Grateful Dead Family Discography
For online chords and TAB see www.rukind.com
For sheet music, see:
Shady Grove (guitar TAB)