Thunder Road (REB 1108) Tony Simmons (Robert Mitchum) 1957

BASIC 2

OPENER

Sides Face Grand Square

Let me tell the story, I can tell it all
‘Bout the mountain boy who ran illegal alcohol

His Daddy made the whiskey, Son, he drove the load

When his engine roared, they called the highway Thunder Road

4 Ladies Promenade, hit the road and go

Swing your man and Promenade him go
It was thunder, thunder over Thunder Road

Thunder was his engine, White Lightning was his load

FIGURE

Heads Square Thru 4 hands and go

DoSaDo the corner girl and go
Swing Thru, 2 by 2 and the Boys Run Right
Ferris Wheel, into the middle and go

Centres Pass Thru, Square Thru go 4 hands around you know
Swing that corner, Promenade her go

Moonshine, Moonshine quenched the Devil’s thirst
Law, they swore to get ’em (but the Devil got ’em first)

MIDDLE BREAK

Sides Face Grand Square

Sometimes into Asheville, sometimes Memphis Town

The Revenuers chased him, but couldn’t run him down

When they thought they had him, his engine would explode

He’d go by, like they were standing still on Thunder Road

4 Girls Promenade inside and go

Swing him around and Promenade go

It was thunder, thunder over Thunder Road

Thunder was his engine, White Lightning was his load

CLOSER

Sides Face Grand Square

Son, his Daddy told him , make this your last

Trunk is filled with 100 proof, tank is filled with gas

Don’t take any chances, if you can’t get through

Rather have you back , than all that Mountain Dew

4 Boys Promenade inside on Thunder Road
Swing her now, Promenade her you know

Thunder, thunder over Thunder Road

Thunder was his engine, White Lightning was his load

TAG

Swing, Thunder, Thunder Road

ORIGINAL LYRICS

Let me tell the story, I can tell it all;
About the mountain boy who ran illegal alcohol.
His daddy made the whiskey, the son he drove the load;
And when his engine roared they called the highway "Thunder Road".
 
Sometimes into Ashville, sometimes Memphis town.
The Revenuers chased him but they couldn't run him down.
Each time they thought they had him his engine would explode.
He'd go by like they were standing still on "Thunder Road".
 
And there was thunder, thunder over "Thunder Road",
Thunder was his engine and white lightening was his load.
And there was moonshine, moonshine to quench the devil's thirst.
The law they swore they'd get him but the devil got him first.
 
It was on the first of April, Nineteen-Fifty-Four
The federal man sent word he'd better make his run no more.
He said "200 agents were covering the state;
Which ever road he tried to take they'd get him sure as fate."
 
'Son' his daddy told him, make this run your last.
The tank is filled with 100 proof; you're all tuned-up and gassed.
Now don't take any chances, if you can't get through.
I'd rather have you back again than all that Mountain Dew.'
 
And there was thunder, thunder over "Thunder Road",
Thunder was his engine and white lightening was his load.
And there was moonshine, moonshine to quench the devil's thirst.
The law they swore they'd get him but the devil got him first.
 
Roaring out of Harlan; revving up his mill.
He shot the Gap at Cumberland and streamed by Maynardville.
With G men on his tail light; road block up ahead,
The mountain boy took roads that even angels fear to tread.
 
Blazing right through Knoxville, out on Kingston Pike,
Then right outside of Bearden, they made the fatal strike.
He left the road at 90; that's all there is to say,
The devil got the moonshine and the mountain boy that day.
 
And there was thunder, thunder over "Thunder Road",
Thunder was his engine and white lightening was his load.
And there was moonshine, moonshine to quench the devil's thirst.
The law they never got him 'cause the devil got him first.