Monday, October 04, 2021

Moonshiner, 1963

Bob Dylan's "Moonshiner" -- outtake, recorded in 1963. 

 "I go to some hollow
And sit at my still
 And if whiskey don't kill me
   Then I don't know what will"

               

Bob Dylan has evolved quite a lot since 1963, when he was just starting out. We've been listening to a lot of songs from a wide variety of times, styles, and singers, and I was thinking about Dylan and his early days when he recorded this folk song of undetermined origin. Dylan's version has never been released except as a rare/unreleased outtake, and as far as I can tell, he never recorded it again.

I was interested to learn that the American poet Carl Sandburg included this song in his 1927 collection, The American Songbag. I'm always interested in what Carl Sandburg was doing: his accomplishments are so varied! A number of songs from Sandburg's collection are available on Youtube also, here.

I'm sharing this song about drink with Elizabeth and the bloggers who share ideas and images about drinks at her blog AlteredBookLover.

20 comments:

  1. What an amazing take on T this week, Mae. You always come up with the most enjoyable and unique T Tuesday posts and this one is no different. I really enjoyed learning a bit about the early years of Bob Dylan and the great song, too. Thanks for joining us again for T this week, dear.

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  2. Hi Mae, I really enjoyed this post allot, have always been a fan of Dylan Happy T Kathy

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  3. Bob Dylan really did change over time; and its all good. I didn't know that Carl Sandburg included some songs in his work/books. He was a wonderful poet, right up there with Dylan. Nice T day post Mae. Hope yours is happy. hugs-Erika

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  4. This is a great take on the T theme! I have never been a big Dylan fan - growing up in Germany we mainly listened to British artists and other European ones.

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  5. Thank goodness for Dylan. I've not heard this song before ... but I love the lines in it and the way he sings it. If whiskey doesn't kill me ... then what the heck will?! Dito.

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  6. Very interesting Mae, but I have to say I was never into Bob Dylan...
    happy T day!

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  7. This is wonderful. I had never heard it before, so thank you for sharing !

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  8. Fun idea for T-Day! Interesting, you made me smile, thank you and a happy T!

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  9. A Great idea for T Day Mae although I really have never enjoyed listening to Bob Dylan! not my cup of tea as we say
    Happy T Day
    Jan

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  10. Interesting history that I didn't know about. And I wonder why Dylan never recorded this song again.

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  11. Mae, that a fab share for T-day. Such a soulful voice and talent. The harmonica is perfect in it too. Happy Tday and thanks for sharing this song! Hugz

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  12. I've never heard this one either, thanks for sharing 😀. Happy T Day! Hugs Jo x

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  13. When I hear the word "moonshine" my mind goes back to those "Moonshine Kills" fans they used to hand out at the Mid-South Fair every year. I had never heard this song before. Interesting. Happy T Tuesday!

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  14. Wow, it's been a long time since I've heard Dylan. Didn't know this song. Happy T Day

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  15. A very special drink reference! How interesting. I had never heard this song before of course. I have never been a Dylan fan (I always said he can't sing) but just hearing that characteristic mouth organ intro, made me feel nostalgic.
    Thank you for a very special T-Day entry.
    Happy T-Day,
    Hugs,
    Lisca

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  16. I haven't listened to BD in a long time. Have a great day.

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  17. I haven't heard this one before but I like his voice.
    Happy Tea Day,
    Kate

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  18. That was very interesting, thanks Mae, really enjoyed it. Happy T Day! Elle/EOTC xx

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  19. Really good to hear early Dylan. Interesting post Mae, belated Happy T Day, Chrisx

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  20. The history of folk music and its origins fascinate me. As do how artists develop over time.

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