White Lightning
Moonshine Tales: A Blue-Ridge Legacy in George Jones' White Lightning
Lyrics
Well, in the North of Carolina, way back in the hills
Refers to a location in North Carolina, in the hills, where the narrator and their father lived.
Me and my old pappy and he had him a still
The narrator and their father had a moonshine still for making illegal liquor.
He brewed white lightnin' 'til the sun went down
They brewed moonshine until sunset.
And then you'd fill him a jug and he'd pass it around
After brewing, they filled a jug and shared it with others.
Mighty, mighty pleasin', pappy's corn squeezin'
Describes the enjoyment of the moonshine, emphasizing its potency.
Sh, white lightnin'
An exclamation about the power or strength of the moonshine.
Well, the "G" men, "T" men, revenuers, too
Government agents and law enforcement officers searching for the illegal still.
Searchin' for the place where he made his brew
Trying to find the location where the moonshine was being produced.
They were looking, tryin to book him, but my pappy kept on cookin'
Despite the search and attempts to catch him, the father continued making moonshine.
Phoo, white lightnin'
Another exclamation emphasizing the strength of the moonshine.
Well, I asked my old pappy why he called his brew
The narrator asks why the moonshine is called 'white lightnin' instead of 'mountain dew' (another term for moonshine).
White lightnin' 'stead of mountain dew
Comparison between the moonshine (white lightnin') and 'mountain dew.'
I took a little sip and right away I knew
The narrator tastes the moonshine and immediately realizes its potency.
As my eyes bugged out and my face turned blue
The narrator has a strong physical reaction to drinking the moonshine.
Lightnin' started flashin', thunder started clashin'
Metaphorical description of intense reactions to the potent moonshine.
Sh, white lightnin'
Another exclamation about the strength of the moonshine.
Well, the "G" men, "T" men, revenuers, too
Repetition of the authorities searching for the illegal moonshine operation.
Searchin' for the place where he made his brew
Continued efforts to locate and stop the production of moonshine.
They were looking, tryin to book him but my pappy kept on cookin'
Despite the authorities' efforts, the father persists in making moonshine.
Sh, white lightnin'
Another exclamation emphasizing the strength of the moonshine.
Well, a city slicker came and he said "I'm tough"
A person from the city expresses interest in trying the potent moonshine.
I think I want to taste that powerful stuff
Expresses the desire to taste the powerful moonshine.
He took one s-slug and drank it right down
The city person drinks the moonshine quickly.
And I heard him a-moaning as he hit the ground
The city person has a strong negative reaction to the potency of the moonshine.
Mighty, mighty pleasin', your pappy's corn squeezin'
Reiterates the pleasure of the moonshine but in a slightly sarcastic tone after witnessing the city person's reaction.
Shoo, white lightnin'
Another exclamation emphasizing the strength of the moonshine.
The "G" men, "T" men, revenuers, too
Reiteration of law enforcement searching for the illegal moonshine operation.
Searchin' for the place where he made his brew
Continued efforts to locate and stop the production of moonshine.
They were looking, tryin' to book him but my pappy kept on cookin'
Despite the ongoing search, the father continues making moonshine.
Sh, white lightnin'
Another exclamation emphasizing the strength of the moonshine.
Comment