Ballad of Thunder Road
Thunder Road's Tale: Moonshine, Thunder, and the Devil's Pursuit
Lyrics
Now let me tell a story, I can tell it all
Introduction to the storyteller's intention to narrate a tale.
About the mountain boy who ran illegal alcohol
Description of a young man involved in illegal alcohol transportation.
His daddy made the whiskey, the son, he drove the load
Explanation of the father-son partnership in whiskey production and transportation.
And when his engine roared, they called the highway thunder road
Reference to the son's speedy driving and the nickname "thunder road" given to his route.
Sometimes into Ashville, sometimes Memphis Town
Detailing the various destinations of the illegal alcohol runs.
The revenuers, they chased him, but they couldn't run him down
Account of law enforcement (revenuers) pursuit and failure to catch the protagonist.
Each time they thought they had him, his engine would explode
Highlighting the protagonist's ability to escape despite challenges.
He'd go by like they were standing still on thunder road
Emphasizing the protagonist's exceptional driving skills.
There was thunder, thunder over thunder road
Reiteration of the theme of thunder on the protagonist's road.
Thunder was his engine and white lightning was his load
Metaphorical description of the protagonist's powerful car and cargo.
There was moonshine, moonshine to quench the devil's thirst
Reference to the moonshine carried by the protagonist.
The law they swore they'd get him, but the devil got him first
Indication that the law intended to catch the protagonist, but fate had other plans.
On the first of April, 1954
Setting the time frame of the story: April 1, 1954.
The federal man sent word, he better make his run no more
Warning from federal authorities to cease illegal activities.
He said two hundred agents were covering the state
Information about the extensive law enforcement coverage.
Whichever road he'd try to take, they'd get him sure as fate
Anticipation of the protagonist's inevitable capture.
'Son', his daddy told him, 'Now make this run your last
Father's advice to make the final run, emphasizing the danger.
Your tank is filled with a hundred proof, you're all tuned up and gassed
Confirmation of the protagonist's readiness for the risky run.
Now don't take any chances, if you can't get through
Caution to avoid unnecessary risks during the run.
I'd rather have you back again than all that mountain dew?
Father's preference for the son's safe return over the illegal cargo.
There was thunder, thunder over thunder road
Reiteration of the thunderous theme as the protagonist embarks on the final journey.
Thunder was his engine and white lightning was his load
Recapitulation of the powerful engine and moonshine cargo.
There was moonshine, moonshine to quench the devil's thirst
Repeating the idea of the law's pursuit but fate's intervention.
The law they swore they'd get him, but the devil got him first
Reiteration of the protagonist's tragic fate at the hands of the devil.
Roaring out of Harlan, revving up his mill
Description of the protagonist's journey, encountering challenges.
He shot the gap at Cumberland and screamed through Maynardville
Highlighting a dangerous maneuver through Cumberland.
With G-men on his tail light, roadblocks up ahead
Depiction of law enforcement pursuit and obstacles ahead.
The mountain boy took roads that even angels feared to tread
Emphasis on the protagonist's daring choice of difficult roads.
Blazing right through Knoxville, out on Kingston Pike
Continuation of the protagonist's journey, passing through Knoxville.
Then right outside of Bearden, there they made the fatal strike
Narration of the fatal encounter near Bearden.
He left the road at ninety, that's all there is to say
Details of the protagonist's high-speed crash.
The devil got the moonshine and the mountain boy that day
Outcome of the crash, resulting in the devil claiming both moonshine and the protagonist.
There was thunder, thunder over thunder road
Final reference to thunder on the ill-fated road.
Thunder was his engine and white lightning was his load
Recapitulation of the powerful engine and doomed cargo.
There was moonshine, moonshine to quench the devil's thirst
Repeating the presence of moonshine and the failed efforts of the law.
The law they swore they'd get him, but the devil got him first
Final affirmation that fate, symbolized by the devil, prevailed over the law.
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