Jenny's Story

When I was a young lass
I met me strapping Johnny
He was tall and he was handsome
And I looked upon him fondly
He started his pursuing
And soon we were a’courting
And when springtime was’a fading
A gold ring I was a’sporting
Lish-a ring-um a -ding-um a dah
Wack fall the daddy-o
Wack fall the daddy-o
There’s whiskey in the jar
A year we were betrothed
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 grievin'
Because me handsome Johnny
Had turned to a life of thieving
Lish-a ring-um a -ding-um a dah
Wack fall the daddy-o
Wack fall the daddy-o
There’s whiskey in the jar
He’d travel out for fortnights
Gathering up his booty
But I stood beside me husband
For it was me solemn duty
For years I was’a hopin'
His ways ways would be ammended
That he would be an honest man
Before his life was ended
Lish-a ring-um a -ding-um a dah
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’rappin'
He said he’d kill my husband
Lest I did agree to trap him
So I waited until midnight
When me Johnny was a’sleepin'
And I got up in my bed clothes
Through the house i was a’creepin'
Lish-a ring-um a -ding-um a dah
Wack fall the daddy-o
Wack fall the daddy-o
There’s whiskey in the jar
I saw him off 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 husband’s livin'
Lish-a ring-um a -ding-um a dah
Wack fall the daddy-o
Wack fall the daddy-o
There’s whiskey in the jar
Lish-a ring-um a -ding-um a dah
Wack fall the daddy-o
Wack fall the daddy-o
There’s whiskey in the jar