[Intro — gang shouts] Shannon County, gather round! Bonfire night, let’s raise it up! [Hook — all voices, shouted call and response] Shannon County, fire climbing high (climbing high!) Bootheels turning as the sparks fly by (step it out!) Old friends laughing, new stories taking flight Come on in close, it’s a bonfire night! [Verse 1 — animated male rap] Deer meat frying, taters in the pan Old pot stewing like only it can Oak flames shooting fifty feet in the air Everybody hollering, nobody cares Aunt Ruth says, “Boy, don’t you scorch that pie!” Cousin spills beans, swears the beans can’t lie You came all dressed up, now your shirt’s got grease By the second plate, you’re family at least [Hook — all voices] Shannon County, fire climbing high (climbing high!) Bootheels turning as the sparks fly by (step it out!) Old friends laughing, new stories taking flight Come on in close, it’s a bonfire night! [Verse 2 — gravelly male rap] Worked in the timber, worked through the rain Speak our minds plain, don’t polish the stain No city manners, no fancy parade We brought our own chairs and the supper we made The women stand firm when the loud talk starts One sharp comeback can rattle your parts A jaw gets heated, a shove gets returned Two fools square up, then the whole crowd learns [Breakdown — claps and shouts] Who brought the deer? (Shannon County!) Who’s talking trash? (Shannon County!) Make a little room, let the hot taters through! [Verse 3 — trading voices] [Voice one] Dust settles down, somebody checks that nose [Voice two] “You still owe me a slice,” and the whole ring knows [Voice one] Shake hands quick, pass the plate around [Voice two] Friends five minutes later, laughing loud [Both, shouted] Fifty-foot flames and a pot gone dry! If you don’t like our ways, don’t pull through the drive! [Final Hook — all voices, twice] Shannon County, fire climbing high (climbing high!) Bootheels turning as the sparks fly by (step it out!) Old friends laughing, new stories taking flight Come on in close, it’s a bonfire night! Shannon County, fire climbing high (climbing high!) Bootheels turning as the sparks fly by (step it out!) Old friends laughing, new stories taking flight Come on in close, it’s a bonfire night! [Outro — gang shouts] Shannon County, keep that circle wide! Bonfire night, one more dance!
