Southern Moon

I ain’t too close and ain’t too far,
white lightnin’ from a mason jar,
seen my sister? She’s a star,
catchin’ out a parlor car -
tip a hat to the southern moon.

I seen Grandma Moses ferried
(I know why the rabbit tarried)
I seen Elvis get remarried
(I know where the money’s buried)
can’t hide from the southern moon.

I seen more debauchery
than three of me’d care to see -
out ‘neath the honeylocust tree
the devil stacks his dowry
by the light of the ol’ southern moon.

I seen Richmond torched and torn,
I heard Satchmo blow his horn,
the dyin’ and the barely born
is mad as magpies in the corn
lookin’ up at the low southern moon.

I ain’t concerned about your lot,
or what your mamma said you ought -
just once, before your farm is bought,
throw back your head
give all you got
howlin' up at the full southern moon.