I've been a moonshiner
For seventeen long years
I've spent all my money
On whiskey and beer

I go to some hollow
And sit at my still
And if whiskey don't kill me
Then I don't know what will

I go to some barroom
And drink with my friends
Where the women can't follow
And see what I spend

God bless them pretty women
I wish they was mine
Their breath is as sweet
The dew on the vine

Let me eat when I am hungry
Let me drink when I am dry
A dollar when I am hard-up
Religion when I die

The whole world's a bottle
And life's but a dram
When the bottle gets empty
It sure ain't worth a damn


Lyrics submitted by hari66, edited by Elliot0110

Moonshiner Lyrics as written by Traditional Bob Dylan

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Moonshiner song meanings
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5 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment

    I loooooovvvvvveeeee this song. Its so great. My friend does a cover of this on his classical, its realy good. Its what got me into this song so much.

    the_clairvoyanton February 28, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Of all the traditional covers Mr. Bob does, this one is my favorite. So powerful.

    artsluton April 15, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is so fucking amazing. He conveys the feeling of a slave to liquor in this song.

    tronistroyon June 04, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Underrated.

    Christa426on December 17, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    tronistroy is 101% correct. sums up addictions as the sad veil covering the inner pain, that they are.

    whoshaton August 17, 2011   Link

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