I’ve been a moonshiner
For seventeen long years
And I spent all my money
On whiskey and beer
And I go to some hollow
And set up my still
If whiskey don’t kill me
Lord, I don’t know what will
And I go to some barroom
To drink with my friends
Where the women they can’t follow
To see what I spend
God bless them pretty women
I wish they was mine
With breath as sweet as
The dew on the vine
Let me eat when I’m hungry
Let me drink when I’m dry
Two dollars when I’m hard up
Religion when I die
The whole world is a bottle
And life is but a dram
When the bottle gets empty
Lord, it sure ain’t worth a damn
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5 thoughts on “Moonshiner (traditional)”
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Oh yeah! One of my favorite songs to play on the guitar… and one of the few songs I can usually remember how to play. Uncle Tupelo did a terrific version of this song on one of their albums–I think I’ll listen to it when I get home. Thanks.
I wonder if this is sung to the tune of the old Irish folk song, “Wild Rover.” Steve – is it 3/4, key o’ D? I’ve never heard it, but I’d like to play it.
Done by Bob Dylan, The Bootleg Series box set. From when? 1965? Some of his best singing.
listen
The Uncle Tupelo version was the one I was listening to when I posted the lyrics. Also sweet.