The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Franklin County moonshine is all you care about
You've got those orders comin' in and moonshine goin' out
If a revenue man ever hears about this boy you won't have a prayer
The Franklin County moonshine's put the grey in my black hair
Do you remember long ago what you promised me
You said if I would marry you how happy we would be
It worked out for a little while but then you made a dill
You said I'd watch the cookstove and you would watch the still
I never will forget the day you've brought the news to me
I'm a goin' into business honey baby yes siree
You think that mountain dew has put you in society
But you and all that moonshine's made a total wreck of me
Franklin County moonshine...
Now I like Franklin County but something's gotta change
Playing games with old John Wall is a way out of my range
All you do is shoot the bull and temper that old still
I'm a gonna put my foot down cause I have had my fill
I tried my best to make you see that you are doing wrong
But you just stand and grin at me and make that juice roll strong
I climb me some big mountain and make the rafters ring
Cause revenue men'll come running when I began to sing
Franklin County moonshine...
Moonshine moonshine (yodel) moonshine moonshine (yodel)
Moonshine moonshine (yodel)
You've got those orders comin' in and moonshine goin' out
If a revenue man ever hears about this boy you won't have a prayer
The Franklin County moonshine's put the grey in my black hair
Do you remember long ago what you promised me
You said if I would marry you how happy we would be
It worked out for a little while but then you made a dill
You said I'd watch the cookstove and you would watch the still
I never will forget the day you've brought the news to me
I'm a goin' into business honey baby yes siree
You think that mountain dew has put you in society
But you and all that moonshine's made a total wreck of me
Franklin County moonshine...
Now I like Franklin County but something's gotta change
Playing games with old John Wall is a way out of my range
All you do is shoot the bull and temper that old still
I'm a gonna put my foot down cause I have had my fill
I tried my best to make you see that you are doing wrong
But you just stand and grin at me and make that juice roll strong
I climb me some big mountain and make the rafters ring
Cause revenue men'll come running when I began to sing
Franklin County moonshine...
Moonshine moonshine (yodel) moonshine moonshine (yodel)
Moonshine moonshine (yodel)
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Franklin County Moonshine Lyrics as written by Betty Amos
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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