[8-Bar Bluegrass Instrumental Break] [Banjo Lead — Fiddle Response — Guitar and Upright Bass] [Verse 1] Had a Ford with a motor that wasn’t quite stock, Mason jars packed tight in the back. Moon hanging low on a Tennessee ridge, When the headlights found him just past the bridge. Saw that badge in the rearview glass, Dropped her down and stomped on the gas. Grinned to himself, said, “Boys, that’s fine— If you want me tonight, better run that shine!” [Chorus] Run that shine! Run that shine! Gravel in the air and the law behind! Fiddle better holler, let the banjo fly, Hundred Mason jars and a mountain to climb! Round that curve, hold that line— They ain’t caught him yet runnin’ that shine! [Short Instrumental Break — Banjo and Fiddle] [Verse 2] He knew every holler, creek and bend, Knew where the blacktop came to an end. Cut through a pasture, scared three cows, Took out a mailbox and somebody’s plow. Deputy behind him was hanging on tight, Sheriff yelled, “He’s done this every Saturday night!” He hit that switchback sideways and wide— And half those Mason jars changed sides! [Chorus] Run that shine! Run that shine! Gravel in the air and the law behind! Fiddle better holler, let the banjo fly, Hundred Mason jars and a mountain to climb! Round that curve, hold that line— They ain’t caught him yet runnin’ that shine! [Fast Instrumental Break — Banjo and Fiddle Trade] [Verse 3] He’d lost ‘em before at the old county line, So he laughed, “Boys, you’re wasting your time!” But over the hill came what he hadn’t planned— Two patrol cars stretched across where he’d land. He jerked her left, but the road got thin, Right was a ditch and straight was them. Stood on the brakes, that old Ford slid— And the law finally caught what the mountain hid. [Band Stop] Dust rolled off. That old Ford ticked. One Mason jar rolled underneath. Sheriff walked up, Tapped on the glass— “Been chasin’ you a long time.” He looked at the roadblock, Then back at the sheriff— “Yeah… Took all of you to do it.” [Final Chorus — Full Band] RAN that shine! RAN that shine! Gravel in the air with the law behind! Fiddle was hollerin’, banjo flew, But a wall full of badges was waiting on you! He’d won those races a hundred times— But the law won one… And took his shine! [Brief Instrumental — Banjo] [Spoken Outro — Gravelly] Next morning down at the county jail, He was telling that story again. “They never caught me.” Somebody laughed— “Then how’d you get in here?” He leaned back and grinned. “Simple… Them boys ran outta road.” [Single Banjo Sting — End]
