Cool and cloudy nights upon Boll Mountain, Alabama
Flashing through my mind was Big Homer's reputation
The clouds rolled by and then I saw the shadow of a lady

I was stealing corn from Homer Lawson's field
A man who really didn't give a damn
It was Homer's lovely daughter Julie Ann

The rattle of the cornstalks and the bark of Homer's hound dog
They say he shot ol' Mountain Joe for just one ear of corn
I smelled the perfume in her hair as she sat down beside me

Made me hug the ground and lie dead still
And laughed the day they laid him in the ground
Whispered, 'Papa's running moonshine again'

Well, I can hear the breaking of the sticks
From someone's footsteps
I thank God for cloudy nights and Alabama's whiskey stills
But shaky legs just can't get up and run
And harvest time in Homer Lawson's field

And as I lay there breathless, the next thing I expected
I thank God for cloudy nights and Alabama's whiskey stills
Was a blast of hell from Homer Lawson's gun
And harvest time in Homer Lawson's field