A Cup of ‘Shine

August 5th 2023

I walked along the dark, rocky path until I came upon a group of men, seated around a fire, singing and laughing and sipping from old hammered copper cups. The orange-ish glow of the fire, paired with their drink, sat warm upon their faces.

The first of the men, sporting a scruffy, overgrown beard, strummed an old banjo to the tune of Cripple Creek. The second man, with a kind, aged face, proudly sang along.

I got a girl and she loves me
She’s as sweet as sweet can be
She’s got eyes of baby blue
Makes my gun shoot straight and true.

The third man tapped his foot to the beat, poking at the fire with a branch, and harmonizing with glee. As the tune came to an end, the fourth man erupted in laughter, and the group whistled and hollered. They poured another cup, and then another, and when I finally approached, the second man stood to his feet, spilling only a few drops from his cup. He crossed his feet, bowed and raised his arms up at his sides. The men hooted with surprise. When he righted himself again, he exclaimed:

“Allow me to introduce to you - The Moonshine Sippin’ Banjo Men!”