Known for his Celtic-inspired music, Marc Gunn is a singer, songwriter, and performer. His career took off with his unique approach to traditional folk and Celtic tunes.

He blends them with modern styles. He gained attention through his podcasts, and his album Celtic Cat became a fan favorite.

While not widely recognized with mainstream awards, Marc has built a loyal following through his online presence and live performances, showcasing his love for storytelling through music.

About the Song

The Humours of Whiskey by Marc Gunn is a playful and lively Irish folk song. It celebrates the fun of drinking whiskey, using clever lyrics and a catchy tune.

The song describes how whiskey brings cheer and laughter, making it a favorite at gatherings and pubs. Marc Gunn’s version keeps the traditional spirit alive with his warm voice and energetic style.

The Humours of Whiskey Lyrics by Marc Gunn

Verse 1

Let your quacks and newspapers be cuttin’ their capers
And curing the vapors the scratch and the gout
With their medical potions, their pills and their lotions
Upholding their notions, they’re mighty put out
Who can tell the true physics of all things pathetic
And pitch to the devil, cramp, colic, and spleen
You’ll know it I think if you take a big drink
With your mouth to the brink of a jug of poteen

Chorus

So stick to the creature, the best thing in nature
For drowning your sorrows and raising your joys
Oh, what moderation gives hope to a nation
Can give consolation like poteen me boys

Verse 2

No liquid cosmetic to lovers athletic
Or ladies pathetic can give such a bloom
As the sweet by the powers in the garden of flowers
E’er gave their own bowers such a darling perfume
And this liquid so rare if you willingly share
To be taking your hair when it’s frizzled and dead
Oh, the sod has the merit to yield the true spirit
So strong it will shake all the hairs from your head

Chorus

So stick to the creature, the best thing in nature
For drowning your sorrows and raising your joys
Oh, since it’s perfection, no doctor’s direction
Can cleanse the complexion like poteen me boys

Verse 3

As a child in me cradle, the nurse from her ladle
Was swillin’ her mouth with a notion of Pep
When a drop from her bottle fell into my throttle
I capered and scrambled right out of her lap
On the floor I lay crawlin’ and screaming and bawling
‘Til me mother and father were called to the fore
All sobbing and sighing, they feared I was dying
They found I was only crying for more

Chorus

So stick to the creature, the best thing in nature
For drowning your sorrows and raising your joys
Oh, Lord, how I’d chuckle if babes in their truckle
Could only be suckled on poteen me boys

Verse 4

Through youthful digressions and times of depression
My childhood’s impression still clung to my mind
And at school or at college, the basis of knowledge
I never could gulp ’til with whiskey combined
And as older I’m growing times e’er bestowin’
On Erin’s potation, a flavor so fine
And how ere they may lecture on Jove and his nectar
Itself is the only true liquid divine

Chorus

So stick to the creature, the best thing in nature
For drowning your sorrows and raising your joys
Oh, Lord, ’tis the right thing for courting and fighting
There’s naught so exciting as poteen me boys

Verse 5

Come guess me this riddle, what beats pipes and fiddle?
What’s hotter than mustard and wilder than cream?
What best wets your whistle? What’s clearer than crystal?
What’s sweeter than honey and stronger than steam?
What will make the dumb talk? What will make the lame walk?
The elixir of life and philosopher’s stone
And what helped Mr. Brunel to dig the Thames Tunnel?
Wasn’t it poteen from old Inishowen?

Chorus

So stick to the creature, the best thing in nature
For drowning your sorrows and raising your joys
Oh, Lord, it’s no wonder, if lightning and thunder
Was made from the plunder of poteen me boys

Similar Songs Like The Humours of Whiskey

For fans of The Humours of Whiskey by Marc Gunn, here are some songs that showcase his unique Celtic folk style and storytelling:

• A Drop of Nelson’s Blood: An upbeat tune celebrating friendship and good times, perfect for lively gatherings and sing-alongs.
• The Holy Ground: A warm, inviting version of a traditional Irish song about sailors leaving home.
• Isn’t It Grand, Boys: This song is a humorous take on life’s challenges, blending wit with thoughtful storytelling.
• Old Fenian Gun: A heartfelt tribute to Irish history, where Marc sings with pleasure and emotion.

Similar Artists Like Marc Gunn

If you like Marc Gunn, here are some artists in the same spirit:

• The Dubliners
  Genres: Folk, Celtic
  Top Albums: The Dubliners (1966), The Best of The Dubliners (1990), Live at the Gaiety (2000)
• The High Kings
  Genres: Celtic, Folk
  Top Albums: The High Kings (2008), Grace & Glory (2017), Live in Ireland (2019)
• The Pogues
  Genres: Folk Punk, Celtic
  Top Albums: If I Should Fall from Grace with God (1988), Rum, Sodomy & the Lash (1985), The Best of the Pogues (1991)
• Flogging Molly
  Genres: Celtic Punk, Punk Rock
  Top Albums: Drunken Lullabies (2002), Within a Mile of Home (2004), Life Is Good (2017)
• Clannad
  Genres: Celtic, Folk
  Top Albums: Crann Úll (1980), Past Present (1989), Clannad (1987)

Frequently Asked Questions

What Makes Marc Gunn’s Version of The Song Special?

Marc Gunn’s signature blend of Celtic guitar and his unique storytelling approach bring a new energy to the traditional tune, making it fun and catchy.

What’s the History Behind the Song the Humours of Whiskey?

While the song has been around for centuries in Irish folk traditions, Marc Gunn helped revive and popularize it, adding a modern flair to this beloved classic.

How Does the Song Relate to Irish Culture?

The song taps into the heart of Irish culture, celebrating traditional drinking customs and the spirit of fun, making it a genuine yet lively representation of Irish folk music.