Judge Releases Illegal Moonshiner For Making Great Whiskey

This is a short clip from my one hour television special on the great folklorist/songwriter/performer Bascom Lamar Lunsford from South Turkey Creek, North Carolina. This scene presents the story of a song that Bascom sang and co-wrote,
“Mountain Dew”.

To see the full one hour film go here: https://youtu.be/F-t7lH0Uzu0

"Mountain Dew" is a well-known bluegrass and folk song that celebrates the Appalachian tradition of homemade moonshine. The version most people are familiar with today was popularized by musicians like Grandpa Jones and Bascom Lamar Lunsford. The man performing this song singing while playing the banjo is Pete Seeger's brother, Mike Seeger.
The old man storyteller is the magnificent banjo picker/singer Obray Ramsey.

The song has murky origins as it was likely passed down and modified through oral traditions. The version popularized in the 20th century is attributed to Bascom Lamar Lunsford and Scotty Wiseman. Lunsford, known as the "Minstrel of the Appalachians," collected and performed hundreds of folk songs, contributing significantly to the preservation and dissemination of regional American music.

The song's lyrics celebrate the production of homemade moonshine, referred to as "mountain dew." The chorus says how those who refuse it are few, and it praises the drink's rejuvenating qualities. One of the verses tells a playful story about a preacher riding around with a jug, showing the song's light-hearted approach to law-breaking and moonshine.

The original verse tells the story that says - “my uncle Mort, he’s saw it off in short, he measures about four foot two. But he thinks he's a giant when you give him a pint of that good old Mountain Dew”. This verse humorously implies that even a short, unimposing man like Uncle Mort feels ten feet tall when he's had a bit of mountain dew.

"Mountain Dew" has become an anthem of sorts for celebrating American folk and the rebellious spirit of moonshiners in the Appalachian Mountains. It has been covered by numerous artists in various music genres, reflecting its widespread appeal and enduring legacy in American music. The song not only captures the humor and irreverence of rural moonshining culture but also highlights the creativity and storytelling prowess of Appalachian music traditions.

Видео Judge Releases Illegal Moonshiner For Making Great Whiskey канала David Hoffman