Uncle Tupelo — Moonshiner
Album: March 16-20, 1992
Avg rating:
Your rating:
Total ratings: 802
Released: 1992
Length: 4:18
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Avg rating:
Your rating:
Total ratings: 802
Length: 4:18
Plays (last 30 days): 0
I've been a moonshiner
for seventeen long years
and I spent all my money
on whiskey and beer
and I go to some hollow
and set up my still
if whiskey don't kill me
Lord, I don't know what will
and I go to some barroom
to drink with my friends
where the women they can't follow
to see what I spend
God bless them pretty women
I wish they was mine
with breath as sweet as
the dew on the vine
let me eat when I'm hungry
let me drink when I'm dry
two dollars when I'm hard up
religion when I die
the whole world is a bottle
and life is but a dram
when the bottle gets empty
Lord, it sure ain't worth a damn
for seventeen long years
and I spent all my money
on whiskey and beer
and I go to some hollow
and set up my still
if whiskey don't kill me
Lord, I don't know what will
and I go to some barroom
to drink with my friends
where the women they can't follow
to see what I spend
God bless them pretty women
I wish they was mine
with breath as sweet as
the dew on the vine
let me eat when I'm hungry
let me drink when I'm dry
two dollars when I'm hard up
religion when I die
the whole world is a bottle
and life is but a dram
when the bottle gets empty
Lord, it sure ain't worth a damn
Comments (138)add comment
Jay Farrar was way too young to be singing and writing like this. Dayum.
ah...the belleville, il sound
yeah...that;s right
yeah...that;s right
I love Bob's version of this old song.
That's all
That's all
aspicer wrote:
Curious which Hurt film this image is from? Anyone...?
looks like leaving las vegas.
Curious which Hurt film this image is from? Anyone...?
looks like leaving las vegas.
I love this tune. It is my favorite Uncle Tupelo. I'm surprised it has such poor ratings.
zepher wrote:
Curious which Hurt film this image is from? Anyone...?
Curious which Hurt film this image is from? Anyone...?
Proclivities wrote:
I trust no one.
Trust but verify?
I trust no one.
Trust but verify?
zepher wrote:
Blues Sometimes Hurt, this one cuts deep.... Some reason reminds me of --->
bachbeet wrote:
Where's the glory and romance? This song is quite the downer.
Just don't like songs about alcoholism. Even less when they try to glorify or romanticize the disease.
Where's the glory and romance? This song is quite the downer.
Salamander Crossing did a really nice A Cappella version of this.
DBT anyone?
jpeaton wrote:
personally, I *love* this song, Uncle Tupelo were great...
Great stuff. I miss these guys.
personally, I *love* this song, Uncle Tupelo were great...
Great stuff. I miss these guys.
Proclivities wrote:
I trust no one.
we also can't all be lee osker
I trust no one.
we also can't all be lee osker
This is a real genuine song...caught me off guard.
No hum...
Cynaera wrote:
Sorry but this song predates Dylan. He did do a version of it in 63 (I think) but its a traditional folk song.
Here is a wikipedia link.
So - okay, this is a Bob Dylan song, but he paraphrased some words I can remember my mother reciting to me whimsically when I was a little kid in the late fifties: "I'll eat when I'm hungry. I'll drink when I'm dry. And if a tree don't fall on me, I'll live 'till I die."
Now - to quote my favorite Portland band, Dirty Martini: "It's only music... and all you are... is a song..."
Now - to quote my favorite Portland band, Dirty Martini: "It's only music... and all you are... is a song..."
Sorry but this song predates Dylan. He did do a version of it in 63 (I think) but its a traditional folk song.
Here is a wikipedia link.
7—>8
Why can't Jay and Jeff get back together for a reunion tour? Is that too unreasonable to ask for? God I'd love that.
So - okay, this is a Bob Dylan song, but he paraphrased some words I can remember my mother reciting to me whimsically when I was a little kid in the late fifties: "I'll eat when I'm hungry. I'll drink when I'm dry. And if a tree don't fall on me, I'll live 'till I die."
Now - to quote my favorite Portland band, Dirty Martini: "It's only music... and all you are... is a song..."
Now - to quote my favorite Portland band, Dirty Martini: "It's only music... and all you are... is a song..."
wmstadler wrote:
I trust no one.
Yet another clueless musician who THINKS he can play the harmonica. Trust me...he can't.
I trust no one.
Jelani wrote:
'nuff said.
right.
Lame... You can't take back a Dylan song like this... You're just killing the idea of singing your life away.
Very bad.
'nuff said.
right.
Lame... You can't take back a Dylan song like this... You're just killing the idea of singing your life away.
Very bad.
govna wrote:
Papernapkin wrote:
Plus it's a crappy song.
'nuff said.
right.
Papernapkin wrote:
Plus it's a crappy song.
'nuff said.
right.
Paul_in_Australia wrote:
Best you should investigate this matter in person.
Like American Budweiser, popular in the US, err, not quite so popular elsewhere.
Budweiser is no longer a North American company. Our craft beer capabilities, however, are the best on the globe - with Portland Oregon at the epicenter. At least according to the late expert Michael Jackson (no, not that one).Best you should investigate this matter in person.
TerryS wrote:
Saw Georgie play just once and have an incredible 20 second run of such brilliance even he could not believe it, watching the replay later.
Now he's just an airport; what a waste of talent.
I´ve just seen the tapes...amazing talent, mind you defenders back in those days were hefty lumps, but he was not only nimble, he had strength to make those darting, swerving runs in all that mud and with those medicine balls they used to play with.
Saw Georgie play just once and have an incredible 20 second run of such brilliance even he could not believe it, watching the replay later.
Now he's just an airport; what a waste of talent.
I´ve just seen the tapes...amazing talent, mind you defenders back in those days were hefty lumps, but he was not only nimble, he had strength to make those darting, swerving runs in all that mud and with those medicine balls they used to play with.
Papernapkin wrote:
Plus it's a crappy song.
'nuff said.
Plus it's a crappy song.
'nuff said.
bachbeet wrote:
Plus it's a crappy song.
Just don't like songs about alcoholism. Even less when they try to glorify or romanticize the disease.
Plus it's a crappy song.
dyharenas wrote:
1)I spent mine on booze and women - the rest I just wasted
2)Are you Georgie Best? Or are you stealing my boy?
Saw Georgie play just once and have an incredible 20 second run of such brilliance even he could not believe it, watching the replay later.
Now he's just an airport; what a waste of talent.
1)I spent mine on booze and women - the rest I just wasted
2)Are you Georgie Best? Or are you stealing my boy?
Saw Georgie play just once and have an incredible 20 second run of such brilliance even he could not believe it, watching the replay later.
Now he's just an airport; what a waste of talent.
bachbeet wrote:
Okay, better not listen to any country music then...
personally, I *love* this song, Uncle Tupelo were great...
Just don't like songs about alcoholism. Even less when they try to glorify or romanticize the disease.
Okay, better not listen to any country music then...
personally, I *love* this song, Uncle Tupelo were great...
Just don't like songs about alcoholism. Even less when they try to glorify or romanticize the disease.
ianmoff wrote:
Are you Georgie Best? Or are you stealing my boy?
"I spent all my money on whisky and beer"
I spent mine on booze and women - the rest I just wasted
I spent mine on booze and women - the rest I just wasted
Are you Georgie Best? Or are you stealing my boy?
unclelonghair wrote:
This song goes back even further than Dylan. It is a traditional song.
Cat Power's version is better. A rare case where a cover is better than the original!
This song goes back even further than Dylan. It is a traditional song.
What they said.
,,what he said,,
A killer "round the campfire" tune or one to jam along with on yer acoustic. Only a station like RP would play a gem such as this. Thank you!
Such a beautiful, mellow tune for this snowy, snowy Sunday.
aw shucks I missed this, one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite voices. i can't listen every second, damnit? ...(or can I?)
DavidS_UK wrote:
Like American Budweiser, popular in the US, err, not quite so popular elsewhere.
Must be a cultural-specific thing.
Like American Budweiser, popular in the US, err, not quite so popular elsewhere.
Uncle Tupelo/Wilco....they make such great road trip music..........
Can't decide if it's more of a warble or a quaver.
This is a good song.
"I spent all my money on whisky and beer"
I spent mine on booze and women - the rest I just wasted
I spent mine on booze and women - the rest I just wasted
brewmonkey wrote:
I think UT's version is better. Dylan covered a lot of traditional Irish songs and even though I love Dylan I never much cared for this Irish covers. Jay's version, which is more like a Dylan cover and not much like the traditional version, really brings this song to a new genre.
Dylan did a better version, surprised every one thinks this is a UT song, its an old irish folk song
I think UT's version is better. Dylan covered a lot of traditional Irish songs and even though I love Dylan I never much cared for this Irish covers. Jay's version, which is more like a Dylan cover and not much like the traditional version, really brings this song to a new genre.
wrangler wrote:
The nuts must have been free. Hey do you think he is asking for someone to put him out of his misery? Does anyone know where he's drinking?
i spent all of my money on whisky and beer......
The nuts must have been free. Hey do you think he is asking for someone to put him out of his misery? Does anyone know where he's drinking?
i spent all of my money on whisky and beer......
Smoove_D wrote:
Well said
My favorite Uncle Tupelo song. Like all their good stuff, it comes from the gut.
As for those who complain about Jay Farrar's voice or harmonica playing, are any of you Bob Dylan fans? Sometimes it ain't about perfect sounds...it's about the words and the emotions.
As for those who complain about Jay Farrar's voice or harmonica playing, are any of you Bob Dylan fans? Sometimes it ain't about perfect sounds...it's about the words and the emotions.
Well said
snakechaser wrote:
I stopped what I was doing, but it was to reach for the Bhangra mp3 again!
When I hear UT I just have to stop what I am doing so I can listen. Harmonica, scharmonica. Whining, schmining. Ya'll don't understand. But that's ok. I'm happy just to listen and to appreciate the fact that UT took the time to put together an album about the toils of coal mining.
I stopped what I was doing, but it was to reach for the Bhangra mp3 again!
Michael Stipe meets Bob Dylan, reproducing the worst aspects of both! Oh God, now he's started with a bl**dy harmonica!
In case of doubt, no, I'm not keen on this one. Must be a cultural-specific thing.
In case of doubt, no, I'm not keen on this one. Must be a cultural-specific thing.
fingerpin wrote:
I swear to god I read that as Little Wanker.
I swear to god I read that as Little Wanker.
LOL!
Wicked.....
My favorite Uncle Tupelo song. Like all their good stuff, it comes from the gut.
As for those who complain about Jay Farrar's voice or harmonica playing, are any of you Bob Dylan fans? Sometimes it ain't about perfect sounds...it's about the words and the emotions.
As for those who complain about Jay Farrar's voice or harmonica playing, are any of you Bob Dylan fans? Sometimes it ain't about perfect sounds...it's about the words and the emotions.
the whole world is a bottle,
and life is but a dram.
when the bottle gets empty,
it sure ain't worth a damn.
aw yeah :-)
and life is but a dram.
when the bottle gets empty,
it sure ain't worth a damn.
aw yeah :-)
Cat Power's version is better. A rare case where a cover is better than the original!
I like it. A lot. My daddy saw Thunder Road one too many times and had a brief career running moonshine. My uncle was the chief of police. It didn't work out.
nigelr wrote:
Bit harsh there, lad!
Perhaps you are also known as Little Walter?
I swear to god I read that as Little Wanker.
Bit harsh there, lad!
Perhaps you are also known as Little Walter?
I swear to god I read that as Little Wanker.
wmstadler wrote:
Bit harsh there, lad!
Perhaps you are also known as Little Walter?
Yet another clueless musician who THINKS he can play the harmonica. Trust me...he can't.
Bit harsh there, lad!
Perhaps you are also known as Little Walter?
wmstadler wrote:
that hurts, deep.
Yet another clueless musician who THINKS he can play the harmonica. Trust me...he can't.
that hurts, deep.
When I hear UT I just have to stop what I am doing so I can listen. Harmonica, scharmonica. Whining, schmining. Ya'll don't understand. But that's ok. I'm happy just to listen and to appreciate the fact that UT took the time to put together an album about the toils of coal mining.
Yet another clueless musician who THINKS he can play the harmonica. Trust me...he can't.
Excelsior wrote:
Bad news: Jay Farrar to this day is still whining into microphones in studios and on stages, effectively nullifying the good news.
Since you don't like people singing about pain ("whining"), perhaps you should look for a radio station which only plays happy, cheerful songs?
Bad news: Jay Farrar to this day is still whining into microphones in studios and on stages, effectively nullifying the good news.
Since you don't like people singing about pain ("whining"), perhaps you should look for a radio station which only plays happy, cheerful songs?
Good news: Uncle Tupelo is no more.
Bad news: Jay Farrar to this day is still whining into microphones in studios and on stages, effectively nullifying the good news.
Dylan did a better version, surprised every one thinks this is a UT song, its an old irish folk song
I love this song so MUCH!!!!!!
Thanks Bill and Rebecca. You have excellent taste (but that's why we all listen).
ArbiterOfGoodTaste wrote:
Mmm, whiskey.
Whisky's better, IMHO.
Excelsior wrote:
Someone PLEASE shut the lead singer up!
Have some moonshine. You'll be all better, then.
Excelsior wrote:
Someone PLEASE shut the lead singer up!
obvious city gal that has no clue what its like to chillax.
I don't get it, why does he go to Sao Paulo?
poopypants wrote:
"I spend all my money on whiskey and beer"
Preach on Brotha!
Yeah, it's like I have a twin...
Mmm, whiskey.
etwilson wrote:
I'm right here with you. As far as I'm concerned, Uncle Tupelo could do no wrong.
Dig.
etwilson wrote:
I'm right here with you. As far as I'm concerned, Uncle Tupelo could do no wrong.
Me too!
Graig wrote:
My favorite track from the Uncle Tupelo canon. All you twang haters can tune out for a few minutes while I stop working and listen.
I'm right here with you. As far as I'm concerned, Uncle Tupelo could do no wrong.
rtrudeau wrote:
This hurts my ears. I really hate it.
Someone PLEASE shut the lead singer up!
There are a dozen great renditions of this song by both male and female vocalists. This is not one of those versions...
Is the crazy lineup still going on? This is the absolute craziest song. I rate it a #2.
To quote Ricky from Trailer Park Boys:
"F**k community college. Let's get drunk and eat chicken fingers."
This hurts my ears. I really hate it.
Cat Power aka Chan Marshall also has a great cover of this song, one of my favorite songs by her. Much more moody and a few changes to the lyrics...
AMG:"One of the very few non-original songs in the Uncle Tupelo songbook, "Moonshiner" is one of the classic bootleggers' anthems. The downward spiral of alcoholism is illustrated in a tempered, Western style here, with sadness and pathos taking center stage. The sparse, minor-key melody is framed by an equally barren arrangement, featuring some touching and lyrical harmonica lines from Jay Farrar that neatly echo his brilliant vocals. All in all, the performance is in perfect keeping with the band's rustic thrust, and it remains a brilliant reworking of a song that well deserved such perfect revisionism. The No Depression movement received its most perfect adaptation in this brief song,..."
"I spend all my money on whiskey and beer"
Preach on Brotha!
If you want to hear another nice version of this traditional song, check it out on Mike Mangione's There and Back. Fantastic harmonica. His sophomore release,Tenebrae, is quite good too.
Probably my favorite UT song...even though it's not theirs.
Nice take on an old old tune.
My favorite track from the Uncle Tupelo canon. All you twang haters can tune out for a few minutes while I stop working and listen.
buck-arkansas wrote:
THIS IS WHY I CONTRIBUTE MONEY (VOLUNTARILY) TO RP!
How does the involuntary program work?
too plodding
You forgot Bruce Springsteen
On_The_Beach wrote:
Hmmm, he's (they're?) going for that Dylan/Neil Young/Lucinda Williams/ Country/Folk/Rock/Blues genre. Not as good as the aforementioned but a respectable effort.
Sounds like Neil Young on harminica
lovelifealways wrote:
I don't get it, he says "when the bottle is empty it isn't worth a damn" silly country music, of course it is, it's worth a nickel last time I checked, fifteen cents in Mich...or you could just line 'er up on the fence and shoot it...j/k I love, Love love these guys and especially Farrar it is both raw and beautiful...
I don't get it, he says "when the bottle is empty it isn't worth a damn" silly country music, of course it is, it's worth a nickel last time I checked, fifteen cents in Mich...or you could just line 'er up on the fence and shoot it...j/k I love, Love love these guys and especially Farrar it is both raw and beautiful...
biggeorge wrote:
I love bad harmonica,
Then you've gotta be all over this!
Too close to C&W to enjoy. Nah...a '2' at best.
Twang On!
moonbat wrote:
I love this guy's voice--not quite sure why.
Ditto. His voice just gets inside me, love it.
Hmmm, he's (they're?) going for that Dylan/Neil Young/Lucinda Williams/ Country/Folk/Rock/Blues genre. Not as good as the aforementioned but a respectable effort.
I love this guy's voice--not quite sure why.
So which is worse: the harmonica or the singing? They both suck, but at least he puts some soul into the harmonica. The singing is both poorly executed and dead. Passion can make up for bad chops, but if ya gots neither, get thee to the woodshed!
gypsy222 wrote:
YES PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why? So we can hear more of this guy's bad singing??
tesserakt wrote:
I don't at all relate to the lyrics of this song. But I love it still. Maybe the sign of great music!
I can relate and it feels trite to me. Maybe to close. The harmonica is bad.
Wow, smooth like Gravel
biggeorge wrote:
I love bad harmonica,
I love bad harmonica,
Thanks for playing....I love this song!
wmstadler wrote:
The song is good - the harmonica is terrible. I wish otherwise good musicians wouldn't attempt to play the harmonica without a clue what they're doing.
2nd that
easy intrument to learn,,very diffucult to master
The song is good - the harmonica is terrible. I wish otherwise good musicians wouldn't attempt to play the harmonica without a clue what they're doing.
Yum. What a great song.
ANNE_MARIE wrote:
The whole CD is like this...very high quality! Thanks Bill and Rebecca!
I don't at all relate to the lyrics of this song. But I love it still. Maybe the sign of great music!
the vocals. the lyrics. the harmonica. the accordian. it all "comes together" as good music should.
THIS IS WHY I CONTRIBUTE MONEY (VOLUNTARILY) TO RP!
scadawizard wrote:
Think I recall the Kingston Trio doing a version of this song many years ago, was it called Corn Whiskey?
I pretty sure Dylan did it too, way back, early 60's. Love the Tupelo!
Great song! Love Jay Farrar and am so glad he's back.
As a pastiche of some awful world-weary late-night bar-room lament, this is the funniest I have heard in a long time.
Rhyming 'dram' and 'damn'...inspired!
Think I recall the Kingston Trio doing a version of this song many years ago, was it called Corn Whiskey?
Yeah Uncle Tupelo
COOL!!!
TheWizardOfUhs wrote:
They're OK but they're no "Uncle Cracker!"
thank god (or your deity of choice) for that.
Well, that was nice and depressing.
I have always been more drawn to Jay Ferrar's work than Jeff Tweedy's work, for some reason, even though Wilco seems to have quite a following here in Chicago. Must be the voice !
lotus_65 wrote:
I think if it where up to the FCC and the likes of Cap Cities, a station this good playing music this good would be illegal. Cuff 'em Dan-o.
Hilarious!
And to the person that says "Ugh.", what the hell are you thinking? Oh well, your loss...Uncle Tupelo is fantastic as this song shows.
Ugh.
This is originally off the March 16-22, 1992 album produced by Peter Buck... Got it for Christmas from a college radio buddy. Proves that these guys know their roots.
Check out the CD with its bonus tracks, including a bluegrass version of "I Wanna Be Your Dog." Hilarious, if not hot!