T. S. Kenderdine, "California Revisited, 1858-1897" (Newton, Pa.: Doylestown Publishing Company, 1898):

“There were some good singers among our [ox-]drivers [crossing the plains in 1858]. While the songs were not refined they were not objectionable. One of these was...‘There’s Whiskey in the Jar;’ now no longer heard; unless in the homes of ‘Missouri Pikers.’ I can hear its chorus yet ringing out on the night air in senseless verbiage – with a buffalo or wolf accompani[m]ent on the distant plains:

             O! Ring a jing a jar
             Whack, thwack, my laddie oh!
             There’s whiskey in the jar.

But we had sentimental ditties too. ‘Dutch Joe’ would sing one beginning—

             My old mother and I did part,
             When I was very young,
             Her memory still clings round my heart—
             How close to me she clung!

That is all I can recollect, but I have seen rude men affected at the recital."