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GILGARRA MOUNTAIN (WHISKEY IN THE JAR)

(learned in 1960 from Chris Selsor who learned it from Sam Hinton; also found in Alan Lomax)

(music to go here)

As I was goin' over Gilgarra Mountain
I met Col'nel Pepper and his money he was countin'
I drew forth my pistols and I rattled my saber
Sayin' Stand and deliver, for I am a bold deceiver,
    Mush-a ring-um dur-um da,
    Whack! fol-de-daddy-o,
    Whack! fol-de-daddy-o,
    There's whiskey in the jar.

The shining golden coins sure did look bright and jolly
I took the money home and I gave it to my Molly,
She promised and she swore that she never would deceive me
But the divil's in the women and they never can be aisy,
    Mush-a ring-um dur-im da...

Now when I awoke between six and seven
The guards were around me in numbers odd and even
I flew to my pistols but alas I was mistaken
I fired off my pistols and a pris'ner was taken,
    Mush-a ring-um dur-im da...

They put me in prison without judge or writing
For robbing Col'nel Pepper on Gilgarra Mountain
But they didn't take my fists so I knocked the sentry down
And I bid a long farewell to the judge in Slingo Town,
    Mush-a ring-um dur-im da...

Now some take delight in golf and in bowling
Others take delight in the carriages a-rolling
But I take delight in the juice of the barley
And courtin' the girls in the mornin' so early,
    Mush-a ring-um dur-im da...

(from miriam berg's folksong collection)