Sun ain’t up but I’m already gone, Boot heels quiet, can’t leave no song. Copper’s sleepin’, dogs still blind, I got a trunk full o’ lightning and a crooked mind. Mama said, “Boy, you’ll cross that line,” I said, “Mama, I been there my whole damn life.” White corn fire in a mason jar, Burns like hell but it gets me far. I’m runnin’ shine down a gravel spine, Headlights off, just trustin’ signs. If they catch me, I’ll do the time, But tonight I’m free and I’m runnin’ shine. Yeah, I’m runnin’ shine, Lord, runnin’ shine, Moon on my back like a loaded sign. Stillhouse hummin’ like a fevered prayer, Copper coil breathin’ in the cold night air. Daddy taught me where the creek runs slow, How to smell the law ‘fore the sirens blow. Got a .38 and a worn-out map, Couple lies and a heart full o’ gaps. Every mile got a ghost behind, Every jar got a piece o’ my time. I’m runnin’ shine through pine and clay, County line just a mile away. If the road holds out and the luck don’t die, I’ll see sunrise still runnin’ shine. Yeah, I’m runnin’ shine, don’t need no sign, Just the dark and a steady line. They say this life’ll kill you slow, Or fast if the wrong lights show. But a man’s gotta feed his name, And freedom burns like white-hot flame. If I go down, don’t cry for me, Bury me where the mash runs free. Put a jar on my headstone, plain… Say, “Here lies a man who outran chains.” Engine coughs but she knows the way, Every rattle got somethin’ to say. Tires hum an old-time tune, Same damn song since prohibition moon. I ain’t proud but I ain’t ashamed, Just tryin’ to stay one step from the flame. Law got badges, I got time, And a midnight road when I’m runnin’ shine. Yeah, I’m runnin’ shine, hear the bottles sing, Glass clinkin’ like a church bell ring. If I live till morn’, I’ll thank that line, If I don’t… well, I died runnin’ shine. Moon fades low, engine still hummin’, Ain’t nothin’ sweeter than freedom comin’. White corn fire and a borrowed night… Lord, I’m runnin’ shine.
