[Chorus] (husband — male voice, steady and defiant) Standin’ my ground by the still tonight, defendin’ the shine with all my might. You come for the liquor or eagles below, either way, boys, you reap what you sow. Revenuers creepin’ in the cold moonlight, but this mountain’s guarded, ready for the fight. [Verse 1] (male narrator) Moon hung high in the Prohibition night, revenuers creepin’ with lanterns burnin’ bright. Sneakin’ up the trail to the hidden still, federal men out for an easy steal. He heard ’em comin’, stood firm by the fire, shotgun in hand, heart full of fire. [Verse 2] (male narrator) He hung up his hat, made the mountain his own, built a life with Granny, no more alone. Tended the garden, the cow, and the still, shine flowed like honey down the hidden hill. Then the dry law came in the Roarin’ Twenties’ roar, feds smelled the profit, headed for our door. [Verse 3] (male narrator) Three revenuers creep through the laurel so deep, lanterns swing low where the shadows still keep. He scouts the darkness, knows every twist of the land, spots their approach like the back of his hand. Alone by the still in the cold midnight chill, waits for the moment to test nerve and skill. [Chorus] (husband — male voice, steady but strainin’) Standin’ my ground by the still tonight, defendin’ the shine with all my might. You come for the liquor or eagles below, either way, boys, you reap what you sow. Revenuers creepin’ in the cold moonlight, but this mountain’s guarded, ready for the fight. [Verse 4] (male narrator) Back at the cabin, Granny mends by the lamp, quilt in her lap, foot keepin’ quiet stamp. First shotgun boom splits the silence in two, heart knows it’s him, knows what she must do. Grabs her own shotgun, loads as she runs, down the dark trail under moon and the guns. [Verse 5] (male narrator — climax at the still) She bursts through the laurel as the smoke clears the air, two revenuers down, one standin’ there. Last revenuer turns, fires the fatal shot, husband falls heavy, gives all he’s got. Granny’s eyes blaze, shotgun roars one time, the final fed joins the sleepers in line. [Verse 6] (male narrator — aftermath, husband’s last words) Granny rushes to his side where he lies in the dirt, blood on the ground, breath comin’ short. He grasps her hand, voice faint but clear, “Love you forever, keep the oath near. Guard what’s below, let no one dig deep— the eagles are safe, now let me sleep.” She holds him close till the light leaves his eyes, then hears soft movement in the dark of the skies. [Chorus] (husband — male voice, fadin’ weak, Granny joinin’ soft on last lines) Standin’ my ground by the still tonight, defendin’ the shine with all my might. You come for the liquor or eagles below, either way, boys, you reap what you sow. Revenuers creepin’ in the cold moonlight, but this mountain’s guarded… ready for the fight… [Verse 7] (male narrator — Circle arrives) Members of the Circle come silent through the glade, shadows in moonlight, no sound is made. Help Granny carry him gentle and slow, lay him to rest by her pa down below. Clean up the still and the sleepers that fell, oath holds forever, no stories to tell. [Verse 8] (male narrator — closer) Granny stands watch as the dawn starts to creep, eyes sharper now for any trespassin’ feet. Row of fresh mounds by the old hickory tree, secrets stay buried, safe as can be. Mountain wind whispers through laurel and pine, she guards it alone till the end of her time. [Chorus] Standin’ my ground by the still tonight, defendin’ the shine with all my might. You come for the liquor or eagles below, either way, boys, you reap what you sow. Revenuers creepin’ in the cold moonlight, but this mountain’s guarded, forever in fight… [Chorus] Standin’ my ground by the still tonight, defendin’ the shine with all my might. You come for the liquor or eagles below, either way, boys, you reap what you sow. Revenuers creepin’ in the cold moonlight, but this mountain’s guarded… forever in fight…
