4. Granny’s Jig on the Mountain

[Chorus] Come on up the mountain, bring fiddle and bow, Granny’s dancin’ a jig, room-a-tees don’t show. She’ll share her medicine, sweet as it can be, kind to good folks who come respectfully. She’s gentle as morning to folks she calls kin, but cross that line — and the trouble begins! [Verse 1] Down in the valley when the workday is done, folks tune their strings ’neath the settin’ sun. Pack a little somethin’—some cornbread or pie, knowin’ Granny’s waitin’ with a spark in her eye. Up the winding trail through the laurel so green, ’til her porch lamp gleams and her smile’s seen. [Verse 2] She waves ’em on up with a cackle and grin, “Set down your burdens, come warm by the fire!” Hugs all around like they’re long-lost kin, hands round the jug with a wink and a gyre. Stories start flowin’ ’bout the old days and new, laughter rings out under stars bright and true. [Chorus] Come on up the mountain, bring fiddle and bow, Granny’s dancin’ a jig, room-a-tees don’t show. She’ll share her medicine, sweet as it can be, kind to good folks who come respectfully. She’s gentle as morning to folks she calls kin, but cross that line — and the trouble begins! [Verse 3] Fiddle and banjo strike up a wild reel, Granny’s out dancin’ with fire in her heel. Knees may be creakin’, but her feet never tire, twirlin’ and stompin’ like she’s twenty entire. “Mind where you step, boys—them sleepers below!” Granny just laughs with a wink and a glow. [Verse 4] Taters and beans passed round from her garden so fine, slow sips of medicine as the fiddles unwind. Then a young kin, fresh married and green, pipes up with a question nobody’s ever seen: “Granny, are them grave tales true, or just dream?” Whole porch goes quiet, even crickets hold back. [Chorus] Come on up the mountain, bring fiddle and bow, Granny’s dancin’ a jig, room-a-tees don’t show. She’ll share her medicine, sweet as it can be, kind to good folks who come respectfully. She’s gentle as morning to folks she calls kin, but cross that line — and the trouble begins! [Verse 5] Granny lets silence stretch one beat too long, then cackles out loud like a victory song. “Child, them’s just echoes the mountains let roll, whispers in laurel that feed an old soul. Now pass round that jug—one more sip for the road, good kin and good nights are worth more than gold.” [Verse 6] Fire burns low and the embers glow red, friends hug Granny tight and nod their head. Lanterns swing soft as they start down the track, voices call gentle, “We’ll soon be back!” Granny rocks slow with a smile soft and deep— watchin’ her mountain, still queen of the keep. [Chorus] Come on up the mountain, bring fiddle and bow, Granny’s dancin’ a jig, room-a-tees don’t show. She’ll share her medicine, sweet as it can be, kind to good folks who come respectfully. She’s gentle as morning to folks she calls kin, but cross that line — and the trouble begins! [Chorus] (fade) Come on up the mountain, bring fiddle and bow, Granny’s dancin’ a jig, room-a-tees don’t show. She’ll share her medicine, sweet as it can be, kind to good folks who come respectfully. She’s gentle as morning to folks she calls kin, but cross that line — and the trouble begins…