Harlem River marked the solo debut. Known for his work as the singer/guitarist for the Brooklyn band The Babies and bassist for Woods, the Kansas City native and new Los Angeles resident, calls the record “an homage to New York City,” his adopted home for the past five years.
Moonshiner
Kevin Morby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A moonshiner
Oh a moonshiner
A moonshiner
Watch me dance across the water
A bag of diamonds in my hand
Watch me make sense of my brother
And I throw my hands to the sky
As if I expected some type of answer
Oh must I go on to wonder why
The world's a floor and I'm a dancer
But if you want me now
Well there's just two ways out
One is me my love
I am a passing shadow
I am a moonshiner
A moonshiner
Oh a moonshiner
A moonshiner
And I'm on my way back home
To feel the cool kiss of my mother
First you rock and then you roll
In one door then out the other
What happened to the moonshiner
What happened to the moonshiner
At the heart of Kevin Morby's "Moonshiner" is a sense of duality and contradiction. He declares himself a moonshiner - a maker of illegal alcohol - but then talks about dancing across the water with a bag of diamonds in his hand. He also ponders the workings of the lord and the state of the world, as if he's questioning his own place in it. Then he switches gears to talk about a lover and the two ways out: it's either him or nothing.
The song is introspective and enigmatic, but it seems to be about a man who's trying to find his way in a confusing and chaotic world. The moonshiner motif represents a sort of outlaw spirit, a sense of rebellion against authority and convention. But it also represents a certain sadness and loneliness, as if the moonshiner is on the outside looking in. The dancing and the diamonds suggest a kind of joy or exuberance, but it's tinged with a melancholy sense of mortality and the fleeting nature of life. He's going back home to feel the "cool kiss" of his mother, implying a sense of comfort and safety, but there's a note of uncertainty there as well.
Overall, "Moonshiner" is a poetic, ambiguous song that touches on a range of complex emotions and themes. It's a song about searching, longing, and trying to make sense of a world that can be both beautiful and cruel.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a moonshiner
I produce and sell moonshine, illegally distilled alcoholic beverage
Watch me dance across the water
Observe me moving on the surface of the water, as if there is no gravity beneath me
A bag of diamonds in my hand
I possess a bag of valuable jewels, which symbolizes my wealth and success
Watch me make sense of my brother
Notice how I try to understand my sibling, who has been dealt an unfair hand in life by God
The lord, he dealt him a dying hand
My brother has been given a losing hand in life by a higher power
And I throw my hands to the sky
I raise my hands up high, hoping that God will answer my prayers and provide me with a solution
As if I expected some type of answer
I act as if I anticipate a response, despite knowing that I am unlikely to receive one
Oh must I go on to wonder why
I can't help but continue to ponder the reasons why life is unfair and unpredictable
The world's a floor and I'm a dancer
The world is a stage for me, and I am a performer who dances through life with grace and poise
But if you want me now
If you desire my presence or attention
Well there's just two ways out
There are only two options available for you to choose from
One is me my love
One option is to be with me, the person speaking these words, who addresses their lover
I am a passing shadow
I am a temporary, fleeting presence in your life, who will not remain forever
And I'm on my way back home
I am returning to my place of origin or where I belong
To feel the cool kiss of my mother
To experience the comforting embrace or touch of my mother
First you rock and then you roll
First you have to endure hard times and struggles, then you can enjoy the good times
In one door then out the other
Life is full of opportunities, and you have to seize them as they present themselves
What happened to the moonshiner
What occurred to the person who made and sold moonshine, who was featured in the beginning of the song
Contributed by Layla T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
PIQUEO CHANNEL
I am a moonshiner
A moonshiner
Oh a moonshiner
A moonshiner
Watch me dance across the water
A bag of diamonds in my hand
Watch me make sense of my brother
The lord, he dealt him a dying hand
And I throw my hands to the sky
As if I expected some type of answer
Oh must I go on to wonder why
The world's a floor and I'm a dancer
But if you want me now
Well there's just two ways out
One is me my love
I am a passing shadow
I am a moonshiner
A moonshiner
Oh a moonshiner
A moonshiner
And I'm on my way back home
To feel the cool kiss of my mother
First you rock and then you roll
In one door then out the other
What happened to the moonshiner
What happened to the moonshiner
A1 1A
I am a moonshiner
A moonshiner
Oh a moonshiner
A moonshiner
Watch me dance across the water
A bag of diamonds in my hand
Watch me make sense of my brother
The lord, he dealt him a dying hand
And I throw my hands to the sky
As if I expected some type of answer
Oh must I go on to wonder why
The world's a floor and I'm a dancer
But if you want me now
Well there's just two ways out
One is me my love
I am a passing shadow
I am a moonshiner
A moonshiner
Oh a moonshiner
A moonshiner
And I'm on my way back home
To feel the cool kiss of my mother
First you rock and then you roll
In one door then out the other
What happened to the moonshiner
What happened to the moonshiner
PIQUEO CHANNEL
I am a moonshiner
A moonshiner
Oh a moonshiner
A moonshiner
Watch me dance across the water
A bag of diamonds in my hand
Watch me make sense of my brother
The lord, he dealt him a dying hand
And I throw my hands to the sky
As if I expected some type of answer
Oh must I go on to wonder why
The world's a floor and I'm a dancer
But if you want me now
Well there's just two ways out
One is me my love
I am a passing shadow
I am a moonshiner
A moonshiner
Oh a moonshiner
A moonshiner
And I'm on my way back home
To feel the cool kiss of my mother
First you rock and then you roll
In one door then out the other
What happened to the moonshiner
What happened to the moonshiner
odyshape odyshape
I will drink some strong moonshine to you, Kevin.... :)
This sounds all so great, original and freaky, what "Dead Oceans" does release...
We never have the chance to hear such on our idiotic national radio...
(Pat, Switzerland)
Nebojsa Demir
Don't worry u tube is infenately better.
Tracie
does anyone know the harmonica tabs for this?
Pietro Franchi
Whatherver everyone can feel, Kevin is a TRUE songwriter and performer hard to find in the last 20 years......or more?
A1 1A
I am a moonshiner
A moonshiner
Oh a moonshiner
A moonshiner
Watch me dance across the water
A bag of diamonds in my hand
Watch me make sense of my brother
The lord, he dealt him a dying hand
And I throw my hands to the sky
As if I expected some type of answer
Oh must I go on to wonder why
The world's a floor and I'm a dancer
But if you want me now
Well there's just two ways out
One is me my love
I am a passing shadow
I am a moonshiner
A moonshiner
Oh a moonshiner
A moonshiner
And I'm on my way back home
To feel the cool kiss of my mother
First you rock and then you roll
In one door then out the other
What happened to the moonshiner
What happened to the moonshiner
Vasoula Tsiminaki
awesome
Raffy Rillo
Really nice.
doc retrofuturo
wonderful
odd bod
Elle est vraiment trop cool cette zic. Kevin le fils spirituel de Bob Dylan.