Hi folks,
I’ve just written a brand spanking new song called “Moonshine’s a Running”. Here are the lyrics and below that will be a brief explination of the song –
Moonshine’s a Running
Moonshine’s a running
From the side of the hill
I make my living
From the pot and the still
.
Moonshine’s a running
From the side of my hill
I feed my young un’s
From the pot and the still
.
I work all day toiling in the dirt
When the chillun’s cry from hunger, that’s when I hurt
.
Moonshine’s a running
Like my Pappy did before
As his Daddy did
When he washed upon this shore
.
Moonshine’s a running
It’s an honest man’s trade
The sheriff let’s me know
When it’s time for the raid
.
These hills are alive with the smell of mash
And quiet whispers at night and promises of cash
.
Moonshine’s a running
On an Appalachian night
I’ll brew my magic
By the harvest moon tonight
.
Moonshine’s a running
It’s time to move the shine
The dogs are a sniffin’
I’ve been given the sign
.
The sheriff said “I hear ya farmin’ the woods?
There’s new folks in town out lookin’ for your goods”
.
Moonshine’s a running
It’s time to move on
It’s the end of the verse
But not of my song
.
Moonshine’s a running
Little bellies full tonight
But who knows tomorrow
If their belts will be tight
.
It’s a life I never chose to be
But a man does what he does, for his family
.
Moonshine’s a Running
On the side of my hill
I made my living
On the pot and the still
.
Moonshine’s a running
Time to rest my bones
I died a moonshiner
Four miles from my home
.
The cold and wet got me in the night
Daddy won’t be home, but everything’s alright
.
Moonshine’s a running
On the side of a hill
They’ll make a new life
From the pot and the still
.
Moonshine’s a running
It’s the way it’s always been
It will always live on
In both kith and kin
.
A hundred fires in the woods tonight
A hundred souls will go on, fight the good fight
.
Written by Jamie McPherson
Sunday 10 June 2013
Words and music © 2013 Copyright Jamie McPherson
The line “moonshine’s a running” came to me while reading a Foxfire article about moonshining in the Appalachian Mountains called “The Fine Art of Moonshining”. It was a great article written in the 60’s of the dying art of Moonshining (the distilling of illegal whisky). One thing that touched me deeply was that it was accepted by all the locals, including the local law enforcement, as for many it was the only way they could feed their families. Life was tough for these folks, and they had to do whatever they could to survive. Their only real concern was the Federal law enforcement agencies, who could spell a lengthy prison sentence for them. But to feed their families, it was worth the risk. So, I hope I was able to catch the spirit of this within the song.
The song was really born out of the chords. I was noodling around with the guitar last weekend and started to play these chords. I recorded them on my mobile so I wouldn’t forget. Then, yesterday I played back the chords and wrote the music structure on a neet little program on my mobile. And this morning I sat down and wrote out the lyrics.
So, I hope you enjoy Moonshine’s a Running. Hopefully soon I’ll have a rough demo up so you can listen to it.
Beannach leibh,
Jamie