Copperhead Road

Steve Earle
6 Oct 200904:29

TLDRThe song 'Copperhead Road' tells the story of a family with a history in moonshining, from the grandfather who faced the revenue man and disappeared, to the father who ran the whiskey in a repurposed sheriff's car. The narrator, having served in Vietnam, returns with a plan to grow marijuana in the family's holler, facing new challenges from the DEA. The lyrics evoke a vivid picture of a life intertwined with the law, tradition, and the rugged spirit of the backwoods.

Takeaways

  • 😀 The song 'Copperhead Road' tells a story of a family involved in moonshining and their encounters with law enforcement.
  • 🏞 The title 'Copperhead Road' refers to a location where the protagonist's family has a history of illegal activities.
  • 👴 The protagonist's grandfather was a moonshiner who made his own alcohol and was pursued by the revenue man.
  • 🚗 The protagonist's father continued the family tradition by running whiskey in a modified Dodge car.
  • 🔍 The local sheriff was aware of the family's activities and once confronted them during a late-night run.
  • 🎖 The protagonist served in the Vietnam War and upon returning, had a new plan involving drug cultivation.
  • 🌱 He planned to grow marijuana using seeds from Colombia and Mexico on his family's land.
  • 🚁 The DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) became aware of his activities and started surveillance with a helicopter.
  • 😱 The protagonist suffers from nightmares, possibly from his war experiences or the stress of his current activities.
  • ⚠️ The song warns listeners to stay away from Copperhead Road due to the dangerous activities happening there.
  • 🎶 The lively and upbeat music contrasts with the serious and illicit themes of the lyrics.

Q & A

  • What is the significance of the name 'Copperhead Road' in the song?

    -The 'Copperhead Road' in the song symbolizes a place that is associated with illegal activities, specifically the production and transportation of moonshine.

  • What does the line 'HE'D BUY A HUNDRED POUNDS OF YEAST AND SOME COPPER LINE' imply about the grandfather's activities?

    -This line suggests that the grandfather was involved in the production of moonshine, as yeast is used in fermentation and copper line could be part of the distillation process.

  • Why was the grandfather never seen in town?

    -The grandfather was rarely seen in town because his activities, presumably making moonshine, were illegal, and he had to stay hidden to avoid the revenue man.

  • What happened to the grandfather when the revenue man came looking for him?

    -The song implies that the grandfather never returned from Copperhead Road after the revenue man came looking for him, suggesting he may have been caught or killed.

  • What does 'DADDY RAN THE WHISKEY IN A BIG BLOCK DODGE' mean?

    -This line means that the father was involved in the illegal transportation of moonshine using a Dodge car with a powerful engine, possibly modified by the father and his uncle.

  • Why was the Johnson County Sheriff's name painted on the side of the Dodge?

    -The painting of the sheriff's name on the side of the Dodge was likely a ruse to mislead the authorities, making it seem like the car was officially associated with the sheriff's department.

  • How did the father and uncle modify the Dodge car?

    -The father and uncle tore down the engine, possibly to enhance its performance for the illegal transportation of moonshine, and then painted a coat of primer over it.

  • What does the line 'YOU COULD SMELL THE WHISKEY BURNIN' DOWN COPPERHEAD ROAD' suggest about the father's activities?

    -This line suggests that the father's moonshine was being transported and possibly consumed along Copperhead Road, indicating the area was a hub for illegal activities.

  • Why did the narrator volunteer for the Army on his birthday?

    -The narrator volunteered for the Army as a way to escape his life and possibly the illegal activities associated with his family, as it is mentioned that the 'white trash' were drafted first.

  • What new plan did the narrator come up with after returning from Vietnam?

    -After returning from Vietnam, the narrator planned to grow marijuana seeds from Colombia and Mexico in the holler down Copperhead Road, expanding the family's illegal activities.

  • What does the D.E.A.'s presence with a helicopter signify in the song?

    -The presence of the D.E.A. with a helicopter indicates that the federal drug enforcement agency is now involved in investigating and combating the illegal activities happening at Copperhead Road.

Outlines

00:00

🍻 Moonshine Legacy and Copperhead Road

This paragraph introduces the protagonist, John Lee Pettimore, who shares his family's history of moonshining. His grandfather was a well-known figure in town, but his visits were infrequent and always involved the purchase of yeast and copper line for making moonshine. The local revenue man was after him, and there's a tale that he never returned from Copperhead Road after a chase. The protagonist's father continued the family tradition by running whiskey in a Dodge car, which was modified to hide the engine's sound. The paragraph ends with the sheriff's visit, indicating that the protagonist's father was on his way to Knoxville with a load of whiskey, leaving a trail of burning whiskey on Copperhead Road.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Copperhead Road

Copperhead Road is the title of the song and serves as a recurring motif in the script, symbolizing a place of illicit activities and a past that the narrator is trying to escape. It is mentioned in the context of the family's involvement in moonshining and the narrator's own experiences with the law and military service, suggesting a path of life that is fraught with danger and moral ambiguity.

💡John Lee Pettimore

John Lee Pettimore is the name of the narrator and the protagonist of the song. It is significant as it establishes a lineage and continuity with his father and grandfather, hinting at a family tradition of engaging in illegal activities such as moonshining.

💡moonshine

Moonshine refers to illicitly distilled spirits, which is a central theme in the song. The script mentions the grandfather's involvement in moonshining, using 'yeast and copper line' to make it, and the subsequent pursuit by the revenue man, illustrating the family's deep-rooted involvement in this illegal trade.

💡Revenue Man

The 'Revenue Man' in the script represents law enforcement, specifically those tasked with enforcing tax laws, such as those against the production of illegal alcohol. The pursuit of the grandfather by the Revenue Man highlights the conflict between the family's way of life and the law.

💡Dodge

The 'Big Block Dodge' is a vehicle used by the father in the script to transport the whiskey. It is significant as it symbolizes the tools of the trade in the family's illegal activities and the lengths they go to disguise their operations, such as painting over the sheriff's insignia.

💡Vietnam

Vietnam is mentioned in the context of the narrator's military service, which is a turning point in his life. His experiences in Vietnam lead to a 'brand new plan' upon his return, suggesting a shift in his involvement with illegal activities, possibly indicating a more significant scale or a different approach.

💡D.E.A.

The D.E.A., or Drug Enforcement Administration, is a U.S. federal law enforcement agency that the script mentions in the context of the narrator's current activities. The presence of a D.E.A. helicopter implies that the narrator's involvement in illegal activities has escalated and attracted federal attention.

💡Colombia and Mexico

These two countries are mentioned as sources of 'seed' that the narrator plans to plant, likely referring to the cultivation of illicit drugs. This indicates a geographical expansion of the narrator's illegal activities beyond the traditional moonshining and into the realm of drug trafficking.

💡Charlie

The reference to 'Charlie' in the script is likely a colloquial term for the enemy during the Vietnam War, representing the Viet Cong or North Vietnamese forces. The narrator's statement that he 'learnt a thing or two from Charlie' suggests that his military experience has equipped him with skills that he now applies to his illegal activities.

💡White Trash

The term 'White Trash' is used in the script to describe the social and economic status of the narrator and his community. It reflects the socio-economic conditions that may have contributed to the family's involvement in illegal activities as a means of survival and resistance against poverty.

💡Knoxville

Knoxville is a city mentioned in the script as a destination for the father's whiskey delivery. It indicates a specific location and adds a sense of realism to the narrative, suggesting that the family's illegal activities have a wider reach and are part of a larger network.

Highlights

The song tells the story of a family's history with moonshining, starting with the protagonist's grandfather.

The grandfather was known for making moonshine and only visited town twice a year to buy supplies.

He was pursued by the revenue man, who led a raid on his property.

The protagonist's father continued the family tradition by running whiskey in a modified Dodge.

The Dodge was originally a sheriff's vehicle, which adds an ironic twist to the story.

The protagonist's father and uncle modified the engine to make it faster for their illicit activities.

The protagonist recalls the sound of the engine, which is a significant memory from his childhood.

The protagonist describes a night when the sheriff came looking for his father, who was transporting whiskey.

The protagonist's mother was crying, indicating that something was wrong.

The protagonist volunteered for the army on his birthday, reflecting the harsh realities of his social status.

He served two tours in Vietnam, which had a profound impact on his life.

Upon returning from Vietnam, the protagonist has a new plan involving drug cultivation.

He plans to grow marijuana in the holler down Copperhead Road, continuing the family's rebellious legacy.

The DEA is now involved, with a helicopter patrolling the area, indicating the escalation of the law enforcement response.

The protagonist wakes up screaming from nightmares, showing the psychological toll of his past experiences.

He warns others to stay away from Copperhead Road, suggesting the dangers associated with the area and its history.

The song ends with a repeated mention of Copperhead Road, emphasizing its significance in the story.