Monongahela Rye
Rebellion in a Bottle: Monongahela Rye's Spirited Tale
Lyrics
Well I came to this country with nothing to my name
Expressing arrival in the country with minimal possessions.
Except a copper still and a satchel of grain
Possession of a copper still and a satchel of grain upon arrival.
And I made my own way boys
Proudly asserting self-sufficiency and independence.
Till that old devil Neville tried to take it all away
Confrontation with someone named Neville who threatens possessions.
Turning water into whiskey like an Appalachian Christ
Metaphorically turning water into whiskey, portraying resilience.
Sipping on Monongahela Rye
Enjoying Monongahela Rye, symbolizing a connection to Appalachian culture.
When the tax man comes to try to steal him some
Defiance against tax authorities attempting to take possessions.
I'll swear all I have is mine
Firmly claiming ownership of what is rightfully theirs.
Fists was thrown, we burned a man's home
Recalling a conflict involving physical altercations and retaliation.
And we was justified
Asserting the justification of actions taken during the conflict.
It matched the fire in our bellies from that old fashioned rye
Linking the intensity of the conflict to the passion fueled by rye.
And now I face the gallows pole
Confrontation with the possibility of facing punishment or execution.
If you want to quell this rebellion you'd better let me go
Warning against suppressing the rebellion by letting the narrator go.
Turning water into whiskey like an Appalachian Christ
Reiterating the metaphor of turning water into whiskey as resilience.
Sipping on Monongahela Rye
Continued enjoyment of Monongahela Rye despite challenges.
When the tax man comes to try to steal him some
Defiance against attempts by the tax man to seize possessions.
I'll swear all I have is mine
Reaffirmation of ownership and resistance to confiscation.
Well the water here is poison
Describing the local water as poisonous, contrasting with bold rye.
But rye whiskey is mighty bold
Highlighting the strength and character of rye whiskey.
We didn't fight no revolution
Rejecting conformity, emphasizing that they didn't fight for obedience.
Just to turn around and do as were told
Resisting authority and insistence on maintaining independence.
Turning water into whiskey like an Appalachian Christ
Repetition of the resilience metaphor, emphasizing Appalachian identity.
Sipping on Monongahela Rye
Continued enjoyment of Monongahela Rye amidst challenges.
When the tax man comes to try to steal him some
Defying attempts by the tax man to take what belongs to them.
I'll swear all I have is mine
Reiterating the strong assertion of ownership and resistance.
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