Eventually Dehra Dun went by the wayside, and the brothers focused their efforts fully on The Silent Comedy. Since that time they have grown to playing consistently sold-out hometown shows, touring incessantly and performing with the likes of Flogging Molly, The Black Keys, Common, MGMT, Cold War Kids, and more.
Moonshine
The Silent Comedy Lyrics
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She answered, "The stuff's not cheap it's true…
But I like it!"
My spirits can drive you to drink
That Marshall, don't like what it makes you do
So I hide it!
I blend my mash 'till the mix is nice
Copper flash and a pilot fire
How the pressure's buildin'!
Up Black Mountain and back off the road
Shielded lanterns, their steps were so discreet
But I spied them!
12 gauge buckshot, smoke in a ring
Rusty padlocks, they guard my boilin' wheat
Quite nicely!
Oh, how flashes light the sky
Lead shot flies and their fumes ignite
Bracelets snap and their fists do fly
I feel them flat as they hit my sides
I see their shapes in the red firelight
But I can't stop or save it!
Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Anna!
The Silent Comedy's song "Moonshine" tells the tale of a moonshiner who is caught by the law after being spied on by the Marshall. The song opens with the moonshiner, who is named Anna, being asked if there is anything she needs. She replies that she likes the moonshine, but that it is expensive. The singer then explains that the moonshine is made in secret and in the dark of a backwoods night. The moonshiner is portrayed as someone who takes pride in her work, blending her mash until it is just right and building up the pressure until the moonshine is ready. The song also describes the danger and excitement of moonshining, with lead shot flying and fists flying in the red firelight. Ultimately, the moonshiner is caught, but the song ends on a poignant note with the singer calling out Anna's name repeatedly.
The lyrics to "Moonshine" paint a vivid picture of the world of moonshining, a practice that has a long and storied history in America. Moonshine is a high-proof distilled alcoholic beverage that is typically produced illegally, often in rural areas where it is difficult for authorities to monitor. Moonshining became particularly popular during the Prohibition era of the 1920s and early 1930s, when the sale and consumption of alcohol was outlawed in the United States. Today, moonshine is still produced in large quantities, although it is more likely to be consumed for its novelty value than for any practical reason.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Anna, 's there something you need?
The singer is asking Anna if she needs anything.
She answered, 'The stuff's not cheap it's true… But I like it!'
Anna acknowledges that moonshine is expensive, but she enjoys it anyway.
My spirits can drive you to drink
The singer's moonshine is strong and can lead to heavy drinking.
That Marshall, don't like what it makes you do So I hide it!
The artist hides his moonshine from the law enforcement, as it can cause trouble.
Oh, in the dark of a backwoods night I blend my mash 'till the mix is nice Copper flash and a pilot fire How the pressure's buildin'!
The artist creates his moonshine at night using a copper still, and the pressure of the process is building.
Up Black Mountain and back off the road Shielded lanterns, their steps were so discreet But I spied them!
The singer notices people trying to approach his still site but managed to spot them.
12 gauge buckshot, smoke in a ring Rusty padlocks, they guard my boilin' wheat Quite nicely!
The singer has set up security measures to protect his site and his materials.
Oh, how flashes light the sky Lead shot flies and their fumes ignite Bracelets snap and their fists do fly I feel them flat as they hit my sides I see their shapes in the red firelight But I can't stop or save it!
The authorities raid the artist's still site and a violent altercation ensues, but he knows he can't do anything to stop it.
Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Anna!
The artist calls out Anna's name, possibly as a way to express desperation or fear during the raid.
Contributed by Joshua H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ajax The Owl
There's dirt in my whisky, lad.