Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: folk
Song Meaning of “Moonshiner” by Punch Brothers
The song “Moonshiner” by Punch Brothers is a lament about a man who is longing for a life of freedom. The chorus in particular captures this with the line “Oh, take me to the mountains, let me breathe the air.” This man is seeking relief from his troubles and a new life away from the burdens of his day to day life.
The title of the song further reinforces this theme of freedom and escape through its reference to the historical practice of moonshining. Moonshining involves the production of illegal alcohol that was famously done in the Appalachian Mountains in the 1800s. It was a way for individuals to avoid oppressive laws and regulations and the taxes they entailed. This practice, accordingly, is often associated with the idea of freedom and self-determination.
The narrator in the song wants to experience this freedom as well. He longs for a simpler life with less stress and he looks to the past to inspire that longing. Much like a moonshiner, he wants to rebel against the rules and laws of his everyday life and pursue a life of autonomy. He will “take flight of the wings of a hawk” because he is seeking a life of independence.
This song ultimately serves as a reminder that many people around the world still long for a life that is free from the oppressive restrictions of their daily lives and government. It also reveals the power of looking to the past to inform this desire for personal freedom and autonomy.