"White Lightning" is a country song written by J.P. Richardson and famously performed by George Jones. The song tells the story of a moonshiner (pappy) and his son (the narrator) in the hills of North Carolina. They run an illegal still and produce a potent alcoholic beverage called "white lightning" or moonshine. The lyrics mention the constant threat of law enforcement agents known as G-men, T-men, and revenuers, who were trying to locate and shut down their moonshine operation. Despite their efforts, the father manages to elude capture and continues making his homemade brew. The song also humorously describes the effects of consuming the strong moonshine. When the narrator takes a sip, his eyes bug out, his face turns blue, and lightning flashes in his vision. This emphasizes the power and strength of the moonshine concocted by the narrator's pappy. In the final verse, a city slicker dares to try the moonshine but quickly falls victim to its strength and potency, collapsing to the ground after just one drink. The song overall celebrates the art of moonshining and portrays the moonshiners as cunning and resilient individuals who outsmart the authorities. It also highlights the allure and danger of homemade alcohol, capturing the rebellious spirit of the moonshine culture prevalent in rural America.
