Rye Whiskey Lyrics

See the lyrics for “Rye Whiskey” popularized by Tex Ritter in 1933

---

Jack o’ Diamond, Jack o’ Diamond and I know you of old
You’ve robbed my poor pockets of silver and gold
It’s a whiskey, you villain, you’ve been my downfall
You’ve kicked me, you’ve cuffed me, but I love you for all

And it’s a whiskey, rye whiskey
Whiskey I cry
If I don’t get rye whiskey, well, I think I will die
It’s a beefsteak when I’m hungry

Rye whiskey when I’m dry
Greenbacks when I’m hard up
Heaven when I die
I’ll a-go to yonder holl-er
And I’ll build me a still

I’ll give you a gallon for a five dollar bill
Ha, whiskey, rye whiskey
Whiskey, I cry
If a tree don’t fall on me
I’ll live ’til I die

If the ocean was whiskey (ssss (hic))
and I was a duck
I’d dive to the bottom and never come (hic)
I meant to say “up”
Now the ocean ain’t whiskey (hic)
I ain’t a duck

I’ll play Jack o’ Diamond
And trust to my luck
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha
Whiskey, rye whiskey
Whiskey, I cry
If a whiskey don’t kill me
I’ll live ’til I die

About Rye Whiskey Lyrics

“Rye Whiskey” is a traditional American folk song about drinking and the hardships of a rambling life. The lyrics describe the singer turning to rye whiskey for comfort, but also reflect on the losses and regret caused by drinking.

Themes include financial ruin, broken relationships, and an acceptance of life’s difficulties, with whiskey serving as both a friend and a source of trouble. The tone mixes humor with melancholy, highlighting the bittersweet nature of escapism through alcohol.