The Moonshiner

For the 1916 film directed by Fatty Arbuckle, see The Moonshiners.

Lyrics
I've been a moonshiner for many a year,
I've spent all me money on wisky and beer,
I'll go to some hollow and I'll set up me still
and I'll make you a gallon for a ten shilling bill.

(Chorus:)
I'm a rambler, I'm a gambler, I'm a long way from home,
and if you don't like me, well, leave me alone.
I'll eat when I'm hungry and I'll drink when I'm dry,
and if moonshine don't kill me, I'll live till I die.

I'll go to some hallow in this counterie,
ten gallons a wash I can go on a spree,
No women to follow, the world is all mine,
and I love none so well as I love the moonshine.

(Chorus)

O moonshine, dear moonshine, oh how I love thee,
you've kill me old father, but ah you try me,
now bless all moonshiners and bless all moonshine,
there breathe smells as sweet as the dew on the vine.

(Chorus)

The Moonshiner is a folk song with disputed origins. It is believed that the song originated in America, then later made famous in Ireland. Others believe that it was the other way around. The Clancy Brothers stated on their recording that the song is of Irish origin, but again, this is disputed. Bob Dylan performed "Moonshiner" around 1963 on his Bootleg series, 1-3. The song has also been performed by Elliott Smith, Cat Power, Rumbleseat, Cast Iron Filter, Railroad Earth, Bob Forrest, Roscoe Holcomb, Uncle Tupelo and Jeffrey Foucault.