Whiskey in the Jar

Subject: Whiskey in the Jar
From: Ted Rees
Date: 15 Apr 99 - 04:05 AM

I notice the proper lyrics aren't there. Also does anyone know what 'Whack fol ma Daddy o' means?

Subject: RE: Whiskey in the Jar
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Apr 99 - 04:34 AM

Hi, Ted - the Digital Tradition has two versions and a parody of the song. Search for #326 and you'll find all three. You'll often find identification numbers at the bottom of song lyrics here - the numbers are used to link songs that have more than one version.
If you go to our Forum Search and search for whisk in the subject line, you'll find several threads about the song - and, undoubtedly, several versions of the lyrics. Search for whisk and you'll get both "whiskey" and "whisky."
So, tell me, how does one determine which is the "proper" version?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Whiskey in the Jar
From: Ted
Date: 15 Apr 99 - 04:46 AM

Sorry stupid of me - I could only find the parody.

proper version? I guess each time it is performed it is the proper version for that moment

I have just started playing a lot of Tradisitional Irish Songs at my Football (Soccer) clubhouse. The ability to singalong is the most important aspect for me. But I also have to confess changing the lyrics to take the piss out of an individual on the fly is equally vital!

Thanks for the tip

Subject: RE: Whiskey in the Jar
From: Philippa
Date: 15 Apr 99 - 06:03 AM

There was also a recent thread prompted by someone else asking what the nonsense words such as 'whack fol the daddy-o'...I think the question was about 'musha ring dum a do...'(?) In summation, most people said they were nonsense, but we had some interesting ideas of the origin of such choruses. Incidentally, perhaps 'musha' does come from Gaelic - 'muise', 'indeed'; the sound is practically the same.

Subject: RE: Whiskey in the Jar
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 15 Apr 99 - 01:05 PM

Joe- The "proper" version is any version that isn't improper. Simple.

Subject: RE: Whiskey in the Jar
From: SeanM
Date: 15 Apr 99 - 04:19 PM

Most of the people I know agree that a lot of these songs are taken from foreign (To the English speaking ear) sources, and that the 'Di-dum-didlee-eye-day' bits sometimes are used to cover the occasional spot where the lyrics don't fit into the meter determined by the previous foreign song. 'Course, some times it's just there to fill in bits musically where it seemed appropriate.

M

Subject: RE: Whiskey in the Jar
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Apr 99 - 05:43 PM

On Art's recommendation, I just picked up a copy of a great songbook called Folk Songs Out of Wisconsin, which describes what music was like in Wisconsin before the first yuppies arrived. One Wisconsin song version that really struck me has a chorus that goes,

Oh well, oh well,
Oh well, and oh well,
Born is the king of Israel.

The book has lots of interesting variations like this. No "Whiskey in the Jar," though. Darn. I'd like to know what they'd do with 'Whack fol ma Daddy o' - or whatever it is.
-Joe Offer, who arrived in Wisconsin from Detroit with the first wave, 1958-

Subject: RE: Whiskey in the Jar
From: metallica
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 01:44 PM

Subject: RE: Whiskey in the Jar
From: Bruce O.
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 02:28 PM

Joe, in Bodleian MS Eng. b5, c 1650, the opening is "Now well, now well, now well, now well".

Subject: RE: Whiskey in the Jar
From: Margo
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 02:34 PM

There was a whole thread about the nonsense syllables particularly the ones in Whisky in the Jar. One explanation of some nonsense syllables was particularly interesting to me... The speculation was that some of the nonsense syllables were a spoken version of instrumental interludes; onomotopoetic versions of instrumental sounds. Margo

Subject: RE: Whiskey in the Jar
From: kendall
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 04:29 PM

Margo, thats the most sensible explanation yet

Subject: RE: Whiskey in the Jar
From: Paul S
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 05:14 PM

One time I was having a conversation with a buddy about the origin of scat (get your mind out of the gutter). We basically decided the same thing as you, Margo.

Paul