John Wegner The Bootlegger
Bootlegged Riches: A Tale of Choices in Hard Times
Lyrics
Hard times have hit me like a brick in the road
Expressing the impact of difficult times as a sudden obstacle.
I've been searching for answers, I've been looking for gold
Seeking solutions or fortune, possibly alluding to a metaphorical quest for answers and wealth.
But I'm still short on money, many good reasons why
Facing financial difficulties with multiple reasons contributing to the shortage of money.
I'm just falling down deeper in these hard times
Feeling a deeper descent into challenging times.
So Yesterday afternoon I was ambling around
Narrating an afternoon stroll near a creek beyond town borders.
Near the creek in the holler beyond the edge of this town
Describing the location of exploration.
And I was poking around John Wegner's old bootleg shack
Discovering John Wegner's bootleg shack during the walk.
Found me some pictures and papers and a big stack of cash
Finding photos, papers, and a substantial amount of money in the shack.
So I've been rambling this whole town, Mister Wegner ain't around
Searching for Wegner in the town without success.
I've looked high, I've looked low, there's no heir to be found
Confirming the absence of any apparent heir to Wegner.
And I've thought and I've wrestled about what I should do
Reflecting on the ethical dilemma of what to do with the discovered money.
I'll be keeping this money, now friend wouldn't you
Deciding to keep the money and justifying the choice.
You could be James Henry, you could be Grace Divine
Addressing potential identities (James Henry, Grace Divine) but emphasizing the absence of Wegner.
If you're name ain't John Wegner then this money is mine
Asserting ownership of the money in the absence of Wegner.
And you can say what you want to, but one thing's for sure
Defiantly stating the decision to keep the money with a clear conscience.
I'm keepin' this money, my conscience is clear
Reiterating the commitment to keeping the money without guilt.
What happened to John Wegner, nobody knows
Highlighting the mysterious disappearance of John Wegner.
But when you're bootlegging wine, sometimes that's how it goes
Explaining the uncertainty and risks associated with bootlegging.
Well I've got his money and his leftover wine
Revealing possession of Wegner's money and leftover wine as a means of survival.
And it's been getting me by in these hard times
Utilizing Wegner's resources to cope with tough times.
Now I'm up here where most people go
Indicating a higher place in life but acknowledging physical deterioration.
Lived me a good life but my body's all gone
Reflecting on a well-lived life despite physical challenges.
And my soul was layin' 'round one lazy afternoon
Narrating a chance encounter with another soul during a lazy afternoon.
Met another soul from my town, had hard times there too
Meeting a soul from the town who also faced hard times.
His name was John Wegner, he said how do you do
Identifying the soul as John Wegner.
Did you enjoy all that money I left down there for you
Acknowledging the financial assistance left for the narrator by Wegner.
Well I saw you hurtin' and a' amblin around
Explaining Wegner's departure from town due to the narrator's need for money.
You needed money, I was dying anyways so I just left town
Emphasizing Wegner's sacrifice for the narrator's benefit.
You could be James Henry, you could be Grace Divine
Repeating the assertion of ownership over the money, excluding Wegner.
If you're name ain't John Wegner then this money is mine
Restating the claim to the money with confidence.
And you can say what you want to, but one thing's for sure
Affirming the narrator's resolution to keep the money without guilt.
I'm keepin' this money, my conscience is clear
Reiterating the unwavering conscience regarding keeping the money.
Yeah I'm keepin' this money, my conscience is clear
Confirming the clarity of conscience in keeping the money.
Yeah it's clear, like a cold water stream
Using similes to describe the clarity, comparing it to a cold water stream and a vivid dream.
Yeah it's clear, like a really damn good dream
Continuing the simile to emphasize the absolute clarity.
Yeah, it's clear, about as far as I can see
Extending the simile to express the clarity as far as the eye can see.
I've got John Wegner's money, and it belongs
Affirming ownership of Wegner's money.
To me, it belongs to me, yeah to me, oh it belongs to me
Repeating the claim to ownership with emphasis.
I've got John Wegner's money and it belongs to me
Finalizing the assertion of possession over Wegner's money.
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