The town I come from's mostly sky Even though the county's dry That didn't stop the stream nearby From giving us a daughter She was born in a barrel of American oak Made of sugar, maple, and charcoal smoke She just goes to show your folks What God can do with water When I go below the gloomy ground You better buy the room a round Let her weep and lift a glass Of bitter-sweet sour mash Once when I was going through Those same old famous, same old blues Tired of either crying to you Or cussin up a quarrelin' Yes, I slipped and sipped astray Only took one taste to see the way Back to Tennessee to stay Tennessee my darlin' And when I go below the gloomy ground You better buy the room a round Let her weep and lift a glass Of bitter-sweet sour mash I don't want no Beaujolais Sake, Cider, Chardonnay Keep Tequila far away You know what I'm cravin' Ain't Champagne all fine and chilled It's not all rot-gut 'shine, and swill You ask me, life's a cask Of bitter-sweet sour mash And when I go below the gloomy ground You better buy the room a round Let her weep and lift a glass Of bitter-sweet sour mash