If there’s one thing the Irish know how to do, it’s sing. And if there’s another, it’s drink. Put the two together, and you have something truly special—the Irish drinking song, a tradition that stretches back centuries, winding its way through smoky pubs, windswept hills, and the very soul of the people.
Irish drinking songs are not just about drinking. They are about life—the highs, the lows, the brawls, the heartbreaks, the laughter, and the loss. They are songs of revolution and rebellion, of love found and lost, of friends who were there and friends who are gone.
They are sung with arms draped over shoulders, with tears in the eyes, with glasses raised to the heavens.
These songs are a living, breathing history, carried forward by generations who understand that sometimes, the only way to tell the truth of a thing is to sing it.
The Spirit of the Irish Drinking Song
A great Irish drinking song has a few key ingredients:
- A memorable melody—one that’s easy enough for a pub full of half-drunk strangers to sing along with.
- Lyrics that tell a story—whether it’s a tragic tale of a lost love, a bawdy joke about a drunken fool, or a rousing anthem of Irish defiance.
- A chorus that invites participation—because if you’re singing alone, you’re doing it wrong.
There’s a reason why Irish drinking songs lyrics are known worldwide. They are universal. They transcend generations, oceans, and cultures.
Some are hilarious, some are heartbreaking, but all are unforgettable.
Old Irish Drinking Songs: The Classics
You can’t talk about Irish drinking songs without mentioning the old standards—the ones that have been sung in pubs for generations. These songs are woven into the fabric of Irish culture, as essential as Guinness, storytelling, and stubbornness.
1. Whiskey in the Jar
Perhaps the most famous old Irish drinking song, “Whiskey in the Jar” is a tale of betrayal, highway robbery, and, of course, whiskey. It has been recorded by The Dubliners, Thin Lizzy, and Metallica, proving its timeless appeal.
2. The Wild Rover
One of the most famous Irish pub songs, “The Wild Rover” is about a man who has spent all his money drinking and swears he will never do it again—until, of course, he does. The clap-along chorus is what makes it a crowd favorite.
3. Finnegan’s Wake
A ridiculous and uproariously funny drinking song about Tim Finnegan, who drank too much whiskey, fell off a ladder, and was presumed dead—until someone spilled whiskey on his body at his wake, and he sprang back to life.
4. Seven Drunken Nights
A song that gets progressively funnier as it goes on, detailing a man coming home drunk each night, noticing strange things in his house, and being told by his wife that he must be imagining them.
5. The Irish Rover
A boisterous song about an impossibly large and ill-fated ship, usually performed at breakneck speed by The Pogues and The Dubliners.
These old Irish drinking songs are timeless, but the tradition didn’t end there.
Popular Irish Drinking Songs: The Must-Knows
Over time, new classics have emerged—songs that have found their place in the best Irish pub songs: 20 great favorites. These are the ones that will be sung long after last call.
1. Dirty Old Town
Though originally about Salford, England, this song became an Irish pub staple, especially after The Pogues’ version.
2. The Fields of Athenry
A haunting song about a man sent to Australia for stealing food during the Great Famine. Though not a drinking song in the traditional sense, it is sung with pints raised and hearts heavy in pubs all over Ireland.
3. Drunken Sailor
An old sea shanty that has become a staple in Irish pubs, with endless verses about what to do with a drunken sailor early in the morning.
4. The Parting Glass
A song that brings a pub to silence, often sung at the end of the night or at wakes and funerals.
Modern Irish Drinking Songs: New Classics
The Irish drinking song tradition is still alive, with modern Irish drinking songs carrying forward the old themes in new ways.
1. Streams of Whiskey – The Pogues
A fast, wild tribute to drinking, dreaming, and the poetry of Brendan Behan.
2. Galway Girl – Steve Earle / Ed Sheeran
A song that divides opinion—some love it, some hate it—but it’s impossible to ignore.
3. Nancy Whiskey – The Dubliners
A warning about the dangers of whiskey, delivered in the kind of tune that makes you want to drink more whiskey.
4. Fairytale of New York – The Pogues
A Christmas song, yes, but one that has been sung year-round in every pub that has ever closed its doors with drunk patrons still singing.
Funny Irish Drinking Songs: The Best of Irish Humor
The Irish have a unique ability to turn drinking and misfortune into something hilarious. Some of the best funny Irish drinking songs include:
- “The Humour Is On Me Now” – A song about drinking mishaps that feels all too familiar.
- “Johnny Jump Up” – The tale of a man who drank a single pint of strong cider and was never the same again.
- “Beer, Beer, Beer” – A simple, joyful drinking anthem.
There is no sadder, funnier, or more Irish way to deal with hard times than by turning them into songs that make everyone laugh.
Irish Drinking Song Game & Pop Culture
For fans of the TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway?, the Irish Drinking Songs segment became legendary. The game involved the comedians improvising verses to an Irish-style drinking song—sometimes brilliantly, sometimes disastrously, but always hilariously.
This is a perfect game for parties, especially if you have a group willing to make fools of themselves.
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know
What is that one famous Irish song?
It depends who you ask, but “Whiskey in the Jar” is one of the most recognizable Irish songs worldwide.
What is the Irish song with alcohol in the title?
“Whiskey in the Jar” is the most famous, but others include “Nancy Whiskey” and “Beer, Beer, Beer.”
What is the greatest Irish hit of all time?
For traditional music, “The Fields of Athenry.” For rock, “Zombie” by The Cranberries.
What is an Irish song suitable for a funeral?
“The Parting Glass” is the most common Irish funeral song.
What is the most common Irish pub song?
“The Wild Rover.” If you don’t know it, you will by the end of the night.
What is also known as the drinking song?
“The Wild Rover” and “Beer, Beer, Beer” are among the most famous.
Are there any songs about alcoholism?
Yes—“Streams of Whiskey,” “Nancy Whiskey,” and “Fairytale of New York” all deal with drinking’s darker side.
The Tradition Lives On
The Irish drinking song is more than a soundtrack to a night out—it is a piece of history, humor, and heart.
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Sláinte! 🍀🥃
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