Barrels of Whiskey by The O'Reillys and the Paddyhats (2024)

Barrels of Whiskey

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As I stepped out me house I saw this man named Clyde
He took me by the hand saying I'll take you for a ride
I said I cannot go there, there are things to get done
He said boy you must, 'cause I ain't got a son

There's a little secret no one should know
Deep into the forest we both gotta go
I show you the way I earn my daily bread

But dare not to reveal it or you gonna lose your head

I make barrels of whiskey, it ain't no champagne
It's served in our brothels to keep away the pain
What I share with you my lad
It's the biggest secret I've ever had

I make barrels of whiskey, it ain't no champagne
It's served in our brothels to keep away the pain

See the soldiers at war, on the battlefield
They've got more than a gun, my whiskey is their shield
Look at the crippled and the wounded down the street
A passport to hell and a bottle to their feet
You don't leave a child or a sweetheart behind
This is our secret vow so boy don't be blind

I make barrels of whiskey, it ain't no champagne
It's served in our brothels to keep away the pain

What I share with you my lad
Is the biggest secret I've ever had
I make barrels of whiskey, it ain't no champagne
It's served in our brothels to keep away the pain
What I share with you my lad
What I share with you

I make barrels of whiskey, it ain't no champagne
It's served in our brothels to keep away the pain
What I share with you my lad
It's the biggest secret I've ever had

I make barrels of whiskey, it ain't no champagne
It's served in our brothels to keep away the pain

The lyrics to The O'Reillys and the Paddyhats's song Barrels of Whiskey describe a secret whiskey-making operation in the forest, run by a man named Clyde. The singer is taken there by Clyde, who warns him not to reveal the location or he will be in danger. The whiskey is not champagne but instead is served in brothels to ease the pain of soldiers at war and the wounded on the streets. The singer is inducted into the secret operation and is warned to never leave a loved one behind.

The lyrics suggest that the whiskey-making operation is clandestine and highly illegal, as Clyde warns the singer not to reveal its location or he may be killed. The whiskey is depicted as a necessary salve to ease the pain of those suffering in wartime, including soldiers and the wounded. This may suggest a critique of the violence inherent in war and the need to numb oneself to its realities. The final line, "What I share with you my lad, it's the biggest secret I've ever had," implies a sense of camaraderie and brotherhood between the two men, forged through their shared involvement in this secret operation.

As I stepped out me house I saw this man named Clyde
I encountered a man called Clyde as I left my home.

He took me by the hand saying I'll take you for a ride
Clyde grabbed my hand and offered to show me something.

I said I cannot go there, there are things to get done
I declined Clyde's offer on the grounds of having responsibilities to attend to.

He said boy you must, 'cause I ain't got a son
Clyde insisted that I join him, since he lacked a son of his own.

There's a little secret no one should know
Clyde promised to reveal a hidden truth to me.

Deep into the forest we both gotta go
We journeyed into the woods together.

I show you the way I earn my daily bread
Clyde disclosed his means of livelihood to me.

But dare not to reveal it or you gonna lose your head
He warned me against exposing his secret, as it would result in severe consequences.

I make barrels of whiskey, it ain't no champagne
Clyde's secret was that he produced whiskey, not a fancier beverage like champagne.

It's served in our brothels to keep away the pain
The whiskey was served in their brothels to dull the pain of patrons.

See the soldiers at war, on the battlefield
Clyde pointed out that his product was also consumed by soldiers as a means of coping with the horrors of war.

They've got more than a gun, my whiskey is their shield
The soldiers relied on the whiskey as a form of protection.

Look at the crippled and the wounded down the street
There were also civilians who turned to alcohol to cope with their physical and emotional injuries.

A passport to hell and a bottle to their feet
Clyde used a metaphor to describe how drinking his whiskey could lead to a downward spiral.

You don't leave a child or a sweetheart behind
Clyde urged me to keep his secret in order to ensure the safety of my loved ones.

This is our secret vow so boy don't be blind
He reminded me of our shared agreement to keep his whiskey-making a secret.

What I share with you my lad
Clyde emphasized the significance of what he had revealed to me.

Is the biggest secret I've ever had
He stressed the gravity of the situation.

What I share with you my lad
Clyde repeated the importance of our secret agreement.

I make barrels of whiskey, it ain't no champagne
He reiterated that he produced whiskey rather than champagne.

It's served in our brothels to keep away the pain
The whiskey was still used to numb the pain of those who frequented the brothels.

What I share with you my lad
Clyde repeated yet again the gravity of what he had shared.

It's the biggest secret I've ever had
He emphasized once again how important it was to keep his whiskey-making a secret.

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