Bill Monroe (September 13, 1911 – September 9, 1996) developed the style of… Read Full Bio ↴Bill Monroe (September 13, 1911 – September 9, 1996) developed the style of country music known as bluegrass, which takes its name from his band, the "Blue Grass Boys," named for his home state of Kentucky. Monroe's performing career spanned 60 years as a singer, instrumentalist, composer and bandleader. He is often referred to as "the father of bluegrass."

In the rock (and roll) community, Bill Monroe may be best known via one of Elvis Presley's earliest recordings at Sun Records, that of Monroe's 'Blue Moon of Kentucky'. Patsy Cline also made a highly regarded version of this song.

Have a Feast Here Tonight
Bill Monroe Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

There's a rabbit in the log and I ain't got my dog
How will I get him I know
I'll get me a briar and twist it in his hair
That way I'll get him I know

I know ( yes I know )
I know ( I surely know )
That's how I'll get him I know

I'll get me a briar and twist in his hair
That way I'll get him I know

I'll build me a fire and I'll cook that old hare
Roll him in the flames and make him brown
Have a feast here tonight while the moon is shining bright
And find me a place to lie down

To lie down ( to lie down )
To lay down ( to lay down )
Find me a place to lie down
Have a feast here tonight while the moon is shining bright
And find me a place to lie down

I'm going down the track and my coat ripped up my back
Soles on my shoes are nearly gone
A little ways ahead there's an old farmer's shed
That's where I'll rest my weary bones

Weary bones ( weary bones )
Lazy bones ( lazy bones )
That's where I'll rest my weary bones

A little way's ahead there's an old farmer's shed
That's where I'll rest my weary bones

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of this song by Bill Monroe & Doc Watson are a playful and catchy representation of the traditional bluegrass genre. The main character faces the challenge of catching a rabbit without the aid of his dog, but devises a clever plan that involves using a briar to get the critter. The imagery of rolling the rabbit in the flames and cooking it brown creates a rustic and wild atmosphere, evoking the sense of a traditional hunting and gathering society. The song not only speaks to the challenges of the rural life but also gives an insight into the resourcefulness and ingenuity essential to living in the countryside. The little narrative of trekking to the farm to rest one's weary bones gives a nod to the importance of finding a place of peace and comfort after a long day's work.

Overall, the song is a simple but enjoyable tale of hunting, cooking and resting. The repetition of the phrases throughout the song gives it a sing-along quality, making it easy for the audience to join in and follow along. The instrumentation of the song, traditional to the bluegrass style, with the banjo, fiddle, and mandolin, captures the essence of the songs with a lively, rustic and upbeat tone.

Have a Feast Here TonightBill Monroe Lyrics

Greg Jones

Nathaniel Brown

Tony Wood

Annie Flannigan

Have a Feast Here Tonight
Bill Monroe Lyrics