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Uncle Tupelo — Moonshiner
Album: March 16-20, 1992
Avg rating:
6.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 801









Released: 1992
Length: 4:18
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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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
Comments (138)add comment
Jay Farrar was way too young to be singing and writing like this. Dayum. 
Posted 5 months ago by SmackDaddy    [ Reply ]
ah...the belleville, il sound

yeah...that;s right 
Posted 1 year ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
I love Bob's version of this old song.
That's all 
Posted 1 year ago by WilliDoc    [ Reply ]
 aspicer wrote:


Curious which Hurt film this image is from? Anyone...?


looks like leaving las vegas.
Posted 1 year ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
I love this tune.  It is my favorite Uncle Tupelo.  I'm surprised it has such poor ratings.
Posted 1 year ago by rabaak    [ Reply ]
 zepher wrote:





Curious which Hurt film this image is from? Anyone...?
Posted 1 year ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

I trust no one.


 
Trust but verify?
Posted 10 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
 zepher wrote:
Blues Sometimes Hurt, this one cuts deep.... Some reason reminds me of --->



 


Posted 10 years ago by zepher    [ Reply ]
 bachbeet wrote:
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.
Posted 11 years ago by dig    [ Reply ]
Salamander Crossing did a really nice A Cappella version of this.


Posted 11 years ago by emh    [ Reply ]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Moonshiner
Posted 11 years ago by pianocomposer    [ Reply ]
DBT anyone? 
Posted 11 years ago by GINRUSH    [ Reply ]
 jpeaton wrote:

personally, I *love* this song, Uncle Tupelo were great...

 

Great stuff. I miss these guys. 
Posted 11 years ago by treehugger    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

I trust no one.

 

we also can't all be lee osker
Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]

Posted 12 years ago by Darian    [ Reply ]
This is a real genuine song...caught me off guard.
Posted 12 years ago by Darian    [ Reply ]
No hum...
Posted 12 years ago by vanmas    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:
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..."
 
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.


Posted 13 years ago by cupajoe    [ Reply ]
7—>8
Posted 13 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]

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.


Posted 13 years ago by daveshel4    [ Reply ]
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..."
Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
 wmstadler wrote:
Yet another clueless musician who THINKS he can play the harmonica. Trust me...he can't.
 
I trust no one.

Posted 13 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 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. 
Posted 13 years ago by Psycho_Pat    [ Reply ]
 govna wrote: 

Papernapkin wrote:

Plus it's a crappy song.
  
'nuff said.

right.
Posted 13 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
Paul_in_Australia wrote:
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.

Posted 13 years ago by Businessgypsy    [ Reply ]
 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.

Posted 13 years ago by dyharenas    [ Reply ]
 Papernapkin wrote:

Plus it's a crappy song.
 
'nuff said.

Posted 14 years ago by govna    [ Reply ]
 bachbeet wrote:
Just don't like songs about alcoholism.  Even less when they try to glorify or romanticize the disease.
 
Plus it's a crappy song.
Posted 14 years ago by Papernapkin    [ Reply ]
 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.


Posted 14 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
 bachbeet wrote:
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...

Posted 14 years ago by jpeaton    [ Reply ]
Just don't like songs about alcoholism.  Even less when they try to glorify or romanticize the disease.
Posted 14 years ago by bachbeet    [ Reply ]
 ianmoff wrote:
"I spent all my money on whisky and beer"

I spent mine on booze and women - the rest I just wasted 
 
 

Are you Georgie Best? Or are you stealing my boy?
Posted 14 years ago by dyharenas    [ Reply ]
 unclelonghair wrote:
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.

Posted 14 years ago by Giselle62    [ Reply ]
What they said.
Posted 14 years ago by Darlington    [ Reply ]
,,what he said,,
Posted 14 years ago by HazzeSwede    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 14 years ago by whaze    [ Reply ]
Such a beautiful, mellow tune for this snowy, snowy Sunday.
Posted 14 years ago by annieb63    [ Reply ]
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?)
Posted 14 years ago by Giselle62    [ Reply ]
 DavidS_UK wrote:
Must be a cultural-specific thing.
 
Like American Budweiser, popular in the US, err, not quite so popular elsewhere.
Posted 14 years ago by Paul_in_Australia    [ Reply ]
Uncle Tupelo/Wilco....they make such great road trip music..........
Posted 15 years ago by KALINEVE    [ Reply ]
Can't decide if it's more of a warble or a quaver.
Posted 15 years ago by spigolli    [ Reply ]
This is a good song.
Posted 15 years ago by CamLwalk    [ Reply ]
"I spent all my money on whisky and beer"

I spent mine on booze and women - the rest I just wasted 
 
Posted 15 years ago by ianmoff    [ Reply ]
 brewmonkey wrote:
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.

Posted 15 years ago by danagle    [ Reply ]
{#Drunk}
Posted 15 years ago by DaMoGan    [ Reply ]
 wrangler wrote:
i spent all of my money on whisky and beer......{#Cowboy}
 
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?
Posted 15 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
i spent all of my money on whisky and beer......{#Cowboy}
Posted 15 years ago by wrangler    [ Reply ]
 Smoove_D wrote:
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.
 
Well said {#High-five}
Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
 snakechaser wrote:
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!

Posted 15 years ago by DavidS_UK    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 15 years ago by DavidS_UK    [ Reply ]
 fingerpin wrote:

I swear to god I read that as Little Wanker.

 

LOL!

Wicked.....


Posted 15 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 15 years ago by Smoove_D    [ Reply ]
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 :-)
Posted 15 years ago by wrangler    [ Reply ]
Cat Power's version is better.  A rare case where a cover is better than the original!
Posted 15 years ago by unclelonghair    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 15 years ago by PurplePrincess    [ Reply ]
 nigelr wrote:


Bit harsh there, lad!
Perhaps you are also known as Little Walter?

 
I swear to god I read that as Little Wanker.

Posted 15 years ago by fingerpin    [ Reply ]
 wmstadler wrote:
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?

Posted 15 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
 wmstadler wrote:
Yet another clueless musician who THINKS he can play the harmonica. Trust me...he can't.
 
that hurts, deep.
Posted 15 years ago by cix_forever    [ Reply ]
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.

Posted 16 years ago by snakechaser    [ Reply ]
Yet another clueless musician who THINKS he can play the harmonica. Trust me...he can't.
Posted 16 years ago by wmstadler    [ Reply ]
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? 

Posted 16 years ago by spacemoose    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 16 years ago by Excelsior    [ Reply ]
Dylan did a better version, surprised every one thinks this is a UT song, its an old irish folk song
Posted 16 years ago by brewmonkey    [ Reply ]
I love this song so MUCH!!!!!! Thanks Bill and Rebecca. You have excellent taste (but that's why we all listen).
Posted 16 years ago by Zapmedia    [ Reply ]
ArbiterOfGoodTaste wrote:
Mmm, whiskey.
Whisky's better, IMHO.
Posted 16 years ago by rumplestiltskin    [ Reply ]
Excelsior wrote:
Someone PLEASE shut the lead singer up!
Have some moonshine. You'll be all better, then.
Posted 16 years ago by Ntropy    [ Reply ]
Excelsior wrote:
Someone PLEASE shut the lead singer up!
obvious city gal that has no clue what its like to chillax.
Posted 16 years ago by eeke    [ Reply ]
I don't get it, why does he go to Sao Paulo?
Posted 16 years ago by mach4    [ Reply ]
poopypants wrote:
"I spend all my money on whiskey and beer" Preach on Brotha!
Yeah, it's like I have a twin...
Posted 16 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
Mmm, whiskey.
Posted 16 years ago by ArbiterOfGoodTaste    [ Reply ]
etwilson wrote:
I'm right here with you. As far as I'm concerned, Uncle Tupelo could do no wrong.
Dig.
Posted 16 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
etwilson wrote:
I'm right here with you. As far as I'm concerned, Uncle Tupelo could do no wrong.
Me too!
Posted 16 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 16 years ago by etwilson    [ Reply ]
rtrudeau wrote:
This hurts my ears. I really hate it.
Someone PLEASE shut the lead singer up!
Posted 16 years ago by Excelsior    [ Reply ]
There are a dozen great renditions of this song by both male and female vocalists. This is not one of those versions...
Posted 16 years ago by Ballzak    [ Reply ]
Is the crazy lineup still going on? This is the absolute craziest song. I rate it a #2.
Posted 16 years ago by wferrier    [ Reply ]
To quote Ricky from Trailer Park Boys: "F**k community college. Let's get drunk and eat chicken fingers."
Posted 16 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]
This hurts my ears. I really hate it.
Posted 16 years ago by rtrudeau    [ Reply ]
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...
Posted 16 years ago by unclelonghair    [ Reply ]
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,..."
Posted 16 years ago by marmelock    [ Reply ]
"I spend all my money on whiskey and beer" Preach on Brotha!
Posted 17 years ago by poopypants    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by Hootie    [ Reply ]
Probably my favorite UT song...even though it's not theirs.
Posted 17 years ago by ruralfree    [ Reply ]
Nice take on an old old tune.
Posted 17 years ago by Odyzzeuz    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by Graig    [ Reply ]
buck-arkansas wrote:
THIS IS WHY I CONTRIBUTE MONEY (VOLUNTARILY) TO RP!
How does the involuntary program work?
Posted 17 years ago by bokey    [ Reply ]
too plodding
Posted 17 years ago by siloco    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by eastcoast    [ Reply ]
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...
Posted 17 years ago by eastcoast    [ Reply ]
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...
Posted 17 years ago by lovelifealways    [ Reply ]
biggeorge wrote:
I love bad harmonica,
Then you've gotta be all over this!
Posted 17 years ago by Lonestar    [ Reply ]
Too close to C&W to enjoy. Nah...a '2' at best.
Posted 17 years ago by tnt_thomas    [ Reply ]
Twang On!
Posted 17 years ago by greg6494    [ Reply ]
moonbat wrote:
I love this guy's voice--not quite sure why.
Ditto. His voice just gets inside me, love it.
Posted 17 years ago by Jacksonstat    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
I love this guy's voice--not quite sure why.
Posted 17 years ago by moonbat    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 17 years ago by ktnsb    [ Reply ]
gypsy222 wrote:
YES PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why? So we can hear more of this guy's bad singing??
Posted 17 years ago by stickers11    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 17 years ago by h2o    [ Reply ]
Wow, smooth like Gravel biggeorge wrote:
I love bad harmonica,
Posted 17 years ago by biggeorge    [ Reply ]
I love bad harmonica,
Posted 17 years ago by biggeorge    [ Reply ]
Thanks for playing....I love this song!
Posted 17 years ago by meadowwoods    [ Reply ]
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
Posted 18 years ago by chfLarry    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 18 years ago by wmstadler    [ Reply ]
Yum. What a great song.
Posted 18 years ago by pescivendolo    [ Reply ]
ANNE_MARIE wrote:
The whole CD is like this...very high quality! Thanks Bill and Rebecca!
Posted 18 years ago by meadowwoods    [ Reply ]
I don't at all relate to the lyrics of this song. But I love it still. Maybe the sign of great music!
Posted 18 years ago by tesserakt    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 18 years ago by buck-arkansas    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 18 years ago by Dylan76    [ Reply ]
Great song! Love Jay Farrar and am so glad he's back.
Posted 18 years ago by SCprof    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 18 years ago by Paul_in_Australia    [ Reply ]
Think I recall the Kingston Trio doing a version of this song many years ago, was it called Corn Whiskey?
Posted 18 years ago by scadawizard    [ Reply ]
Yeah Uncle Tupelo COOL!!!
Posted 18 years ago by jdpinball    [ Reply ]
TheWizardOfUhs wrote:
They're OK but they're no "Uncle Cracker!"
thank god (or your deity of choice) for that.
Posted 18 years ago by buck-arkansas    [ Reply ]
Well, that was nice and depressing.
Posted 19 years ago by smilestoomuch    [ Reply ]
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 !
Posted 19 years ago by fine_citizen    [ Reply ]
Posted 19 years ago by foppy-knight    [ Reply ]
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.
Posted 19 years ago by ChicoCyclist    [ Reply ]
Ugh.
Posted 19 years ago by Tony2Nice    [ Reply ]
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!
Posted 19 years ago by ChardRemains    [ Reply ]