Ballad of Thunder Road
Thunder Road's Midnight Run: Tales of Moonshine, Rebellion, and the Devil's Highway
Lyrics
Let me tell the story, I can tell it all
Introduction: Speaker expresses the intent to narrate a comprehensive story.
About the mountain boy who ran illegal alcohol
About a young man involved in illegal alcohol transportation.
His daddy made the whiskey, son he drove the load
His father produces the whiskey, and the son is responsible for transporting it.
When his engine roared they called the highway "Thunder Road"
The protagonist is known for his fast driving on the road, referred to as "Thunder Road."
Sometimes into Ashville, sometimes Memphis town
He travels to various places, evading law enforcement.
The Revenuers chased him but they couldn't run him down
The authorities try to catch him, but he eludes them consistently.
Each time they thought they had him his engine would explode
Despite their efforts, the protagonist's vehicle remains powerful and resilient.
He'd go by like they were standing still on "Thunder Road"
He surpasses pursuers effortlessly on Thunder Road.
And there was thunder, thunder over "Thunder Road"
Emphasis on the thunderous nature of the road and the protagonist's engine.
Thunder was his engine and white lightening was his load
His engine is compared to thunder, and he transports potent moonshine.
And there was moonshine, moonshine to quench the devil's thirst
Moonshine is described as a way to satisfy the devil's thirst.
The law they swore they'd get him but the devil got him first
Despite legal threats, the devil (death or fate) claims him before the law does.
On the first of April, 1954
Specific date mentioned when federal agents warn him to stop his operations.
A federal man sent word he'd better make his run no more
Warning of 200 agents covering all possible routes.
He said, "Two-hundred agents were covering the state
Regardless of the road taken, capture is inevitable.
Which ever road he tried to take they'd get him sure as fate"
Fate is certain despite attempts to escape.
"Son," his daddy told him, "Make this run your last
Father advises the son to make his final run, emphasizing the danger.
The tank is filled with 100 proof, you're all tuned up and gassed
The vehicle is prepared with potent moonshine for the last journey.
Now don't take any chances, if you can't get through
Cautioned against taking unnecessary risks.
I'd rather have you back again than all that Mountain Dew"
Father values the son's safety over the illegal cargo.
And there was thunder, thunder over "Thunder Road"
Reiteration of the thunderous quality of Thunder Road.
Thunder was his engine and white lightening was his load
Highlighting the powerful engine and the dangerous cargo.
And there was moonshine, moonshine to quench the devil's thirst
Repetition of the role of moonshine in satisfying the devil's thirst.
The law they swore they'd get him but the devil got him first
The devil claims him before the law can.
Roaring out of Harlan, revving up his mill
Departure from Harlan, facing law enforcement as he accelerates.
He shot the Gap at Cumberland and streamed by Maynardville
Successfully navigating dangerous routes, eluding pursuit.
With G men on his tail light, road block up ahead
Chased by government agents with a roadblock ahead.
The mountain boy took roads that even angels fear to tread
Choosing perilous paths even angels would avoid.
Blazing right through Knoxville, out on Kingston Pike
Speeding through Knoxville and Bearden, avoiding capture.
Then right outside of Bearden, there they made the fatal strike
Fatal confrontation just outside Bearden.
He left the road at 90, that's all there is to say
Crashing at high speed, leading to his demise.
The devil got the moonshine and the mountain boy that day
The devil claims both the moonshine and the protagonist.
And there was thunder, thunder over "Thunder Road"
Final emphasis on the thunderous nature of Thunder Road.
Thunder was his engine and white lightening was his load
Reiteration of the powerful engine and dangerous cargo.
And there was moonshine, moonshine to quench the devil's thirst
Repeated theme of moonshine satisfying the devil's thirst.
The law they never got him 'cause the devil got him first
The law never captures him; fate (the devil) takes him first.
Law they never got him 'cause the devil got him first
Reiteration of the idea that the law fails to apprehend him.
(Thunder, thunder, thunder, oh)
Final echoes of thunder, emphasizing the tragic conclusion.
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