Whiskey You're The Devil Lyrics
The PoguesMusic Video
Whiskey You're The Devil
Now brave boys, we're on the march
Off to Portugal and Spain
Drums are beating, banners flying
The Devil at home will come tonight
So it's go, fare thee well
With a too da loo ra loo ra doo de da
A too ra loo ra loo ra doo de da
Me rikes fall too ra laddie-o
There's whisky in the jar
Whiskey, you're the devil, you're leadin' me astray
Over hills and mountains and to Amerikay
You're sweeter, stronger, decenter, you're spunkier than tea
O whiskey, you're my darlin' drunk or sober
The French are fighting boldly
Men are dying hot and coldly
Give every man his flask of powder
His firelock on his shoulder
So its go, fare thee well
With a too da loo ra loo ra doo de da
A too ra loo ra loo ra doo de da
Me rikes fall too ra laddie-o
There's whisky in the jar
Whiskey, you're the devil, you're leadin' me astray
Over hills and mountains and to Amerikay
You're sweeter, stronger, decenter, you're spunkier than tea
O whiskey, you're my darlin' drunk or sober
[Instrumental]
Whiskey, you're the devil, you're leadin' me astray
Over hills and mountains and to Amerikay
You're sweeter, stronger, decenter, you're spunkier than tea
O whiskey, you're my darlin' drunk or sober
Says the old man do not wrong me
Don't take me daughter from me
For if you do I will torment you
When I'm dead my ghost will haunt you
So its go, fare thee well
With a too da loo ra loo ra doo de da
A too ra loo ra loo ra doo de da
Me rikes fall too ra laddie-o
There's whisky in the jar
Whiskey, you're the devil, you're leadin' me astray
Over hills and mountains and to Amerikay
You're sweeter, stronger, decenter, you're spunkier than tea
O whiskey, you're my darlin' drunk or sober
Song Details
🎶 Music & Lyrics: Traditional Irish marching song
✍️ Source:
Wehman's 10-Cent Irish Songster (c1895) No.1 p.31
📝 Song Brief:
It follows a young soldier heading off to fight in Portugal and Spain, singing boldly as he marches with his regiment.
The song blends humour, bravado, and mischief: whiskey is both his comfort and his downfall, “leading him astray” across hills, mountains, and even to Amerikay. A final twist introduces a protective father warning the soldier not to take his daughter — or face a haunting from beyond the grave.
📖 Glossary:- rikes — A realm, kingdom, empire, or nation.
An older word sometimes used in folk songs to describe lands or territories under a ruler’s control. - Amerikay — A poetic or ballad‑style form of “America.”
Common in Irish folk songs about emigration, longing, or adventure across the Atlantic. - firelock — A flintlock musket.
A muzzle‑loading firearm ignited by a flint striking steel — standard military equipment from the 17th to early 19th centuries. - spunkier — Spirited, lively, plucky.
Used in songs to describe someone full of energy, courage, or cheeky determination.
🍀 Genre: Traditional Irish Song, Folk, Punk
👥 Covers: The Clancy Brothers, The Rumjacks, Liam Clancy, Orthodox Celts, Bella Hardy, The Poxy Boggards, Shilelagh Law, Brigham Phillips, Frank Carson, Dead Man's Hand, Paddy's Pig, King Laoghaire, Greenland Whalefishers...
🎤 Featured Artists: The Pogues
💿 Album: Red Roses For Me
Released: 1984
Country: Europe
Format: 12" Vinyl, LP
Label: Stiff Records
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