"Whiskey in the Jar" is a famous Irish traditional song about a highwayman (usually in the Cork and Kerry mountains), who is betrayed by his wife or lover. It is one of the most widely performed traditional Irish songs, and has been recorded by groups such as The Dubliners, The Pogues, Peter, Paul and Mary, The Seekers, The Highwaymen, Roger Whittaker, the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, The Irish Rovers, the Poxy Boggards,Seven Nations, The Limeliters, King Creosote, Flogging Molly, Fat Man Squeeze and the Brobdingnagian Bards. It was also given a rock veneer by Irish rock band Thin Lizzy, with iconic lead singer Phil Lynott in 1972 (Irish release) and 1973 (UK chart success). Thin Lizzy's version has since been covered by U2, Pulp (1995), Smokie, Metallica (1998, their version won a Grammy), Belle & Sebastian, and Gary Moore (2006). Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead and David Grisman recorded a Bluegrass cover of this song together.
Lillebjørn Nilsen adapted it to Norwegian, as "Svikefulle Mari", ca. 1970. Finnish band Eläkeläiset recorded a Humppa version called Humppamaratooni. In 2007 Lars Lilholt Band made a Danish version, called "Gi' mig whiskey in the jar".
