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Roud Folk Song Index #4301

This song has a disputed history. Some believe it to have originated in America while others claim an Irish origin. Carl Sandberg's 1927 "The American Songbag" credits the Combs family of Kentucky for the collection of the song.

Moonshiner, The

by trad
I’ve [G] been a moonshiner for [C] manys the [Am] year
and I [D7] spent all me money on whiskey and beer
I’ll [G] go to some hollow and [C] set up my [Am] still
and I’ll [D7] make you a gallon for a ten shilling [G] bill

( Chorus
I’m a rambler, I’m a gambler
I’m a long ways from home
and if you don’t like me, well suck on my bone
I’ll eat when I’m hungry, I’ll drink when I’m dry
If the moonshine don’t kill me, I’ll live till I die. )

I’ll go to some hollow in this count-ery
Ten gallons of wash, I can go on a spree
No woman to follow, the world is all mine
and I love none so well as I love the moonshine

Chorus

Oh, moonshine, dear moonshine, oh how I love thee
you killed me old father but dare you try me?
Oh, bless all moonshiners and bless all moonshine
Its breath smells as sweet as the dew on the vine!

Chorus