Moonshine
Big Joe Williams and Sonny Boy Williamson I Lyrics
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Moonshine do harm to many men
Now any-'is, moonshine
Moonshine do harm to many men
Now, that is the reason why
Yank, I believe I'll make a change
Now, moonshine will make you shoot down
Now n' when you go home
An you can't, treat your wife right
Well, you've been drinkin' moonshine
Moonshine do harm to many men
Now, that is the reason why
I believe I'll make a change
Now, moonshine will make you think that the policeman
Is little deliver boy
Moonshine will make you think that street cars
Is little children play toys
Then you been drinkin' moonshine
Moonshine do harm to many men
Now, that is the reason why
I believe I'll make a change
Now, moonshine will make you go home
Lay down 'cross yo' bed
An your wife try to talk wit'ch you
You say, you didn't hear a word she said
You been drinkin' moonshine
Moonshine do harm to many men
Now, that is the reason why
I believe I'll make a change
Now, moonshine will make you get drunk
N' walk out in the street
Moonshine will make you cuss out most
Anybody you meet
You been drinkin' moonshine
Moonshine do harm to many men
Now, that is the reason why
I believe I'll make a change
The song "Moonshine" is a collaboration between Big Joe Williams and Sonny Boy Williamson I, and the lyrics delve into the harmful effects of consuming homemade alcohol, also known as moonshine. In the first verse, the singers highlight the damage that moonshine can cause to many men, and they contemplate making a change in their drinking habits. The second verse explores how moonshine can provoke violent behavior, leading to fights and an inability to treat one's spouse properly.
The third verse emphasizes the psychological impact of moonshine on the drinker's perception of reality, as it can make the police seem like delivery boys and the streetcars like children's toys. The fourth verse emphasizes the barrier that moonshine can create between couples, as husbands may be unable to communicate with their wives when under its influence. The final verse highlights the unpredictable and confrontational behavior that moonshine can engender in its drinkers, often leading to angry outbursts and arguments.
Overall, the song is a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of drinking moonshine, with the singers suggesting that it is time to make a change and avoid the harm that it can cause.
Line by Line Meaning
Now, any-'is, moonshine
Let me tell you, folks, about this here moonshine
Moonshine do harm to many men
Moonshine causes a lot of trouble for a lot of people
Now, that is the reason why
That's why I've decided
Yank, I believe I'll make a change
I'm gonna change my ways, Yank
Now, moonshine will make you shoot down
Drinking moonshine will make you violent
Make you wanna fight
You'll feel like you want to brawl
Now n' when you go home
When you get home
An you can't, treat your wife right
And you're unable to treat your wife with respect
Well, you've been drinkin' moonshine
You've been hitting that moonshine too hard
Now, moonshine will make you think that the policeman
Drinking moonshine will make you see cops as little delivery boys
Is little deliver boy
Like they're delivering packages or something
Moonshine will make you think that street cars
Moonshine will make you see street cars as little children's toys
Is little children play toys
Like they're just playthings for kids
Then you been drinkin' moonshine
Looks like you've been hitting that moonshine bottle again
Now, moonshine will make you go home
Drinking moonshine will make you want to go home
Lay down 'cross yo' bed
To lie down across your bed
An your wife try to talk wit'ch you
And your wife tries to have a conversation with you
You say, you didn't hear a word she said
You act like you didn't hear anything she said
Now, moonshine will make you get drunk
Drinking moonshine will make you intoxicated
N' walk out in the street
To walk around in the street
Moonshine will make you cuss out most
Drinking moonshine will make you curse out pretty much
Anybody you meet
Anyone you run into
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Stephen Andrew Harris, Kenneth Victor Montgomery
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind