Mountain Whiskey

“Rab's last Woolen Testament” by Robin Williamson

D G
When I was a little boy
D G
I used to take the time
G G/F# Emin
To go and see old Rab McPhee
G A
Down by the railway line (“repeated under spoken words” 3x)

A A A | A A G | A A G G/E G | Emin G/F# G| 3X

Of course he was getting on in years then you know

And very very fond of a drop of American whisky, and didn't he tell me so
He was always full of a good story, and he'd a nose like an old weathervane
He was never exactly drunk, (“Instrumental #1”)
A |A G | A G | Emin G/F# G |
A |A A/B A/C# D | G G/F# Emin | A A/C# D |
but then he was never exactly sober anyway
And I often remember these words he used to say

D D/F# G G/B
Water is the strong stuff
D D/F# G G/D
It carries whales and ships
G G/F# Emin Emin/E
But water is the wrong stuff
G G/B A A/E
Don't let it get past your lips
D D/F# G G/B
It rots your books, it wets your suits
D D/F# G G/D
Puts aches in all your bones
G G/F# Emin
Dilute the stuff with whiskey
NC A
Aye, or leave it well alone

Instrumental #2 (2X)
A | A A/B A/C# D | Bmin | Bmin E | 2X

Chorus:
A E D
Whisky pure
A F#min E
O whisky you're
Bmin F#min E A
A charmer drunk or sober

Instrumental #1

Spare yourself contortions

With a drop of barley wine
A sensible precaution
To counteract the times
Brandy and rum are dandy for some
Wherever they might be sold
But a drop of mountain whisky
Isn't it worth its weight in gold

Instrumental #2 (2X)

Chorus:
Whisky pure
O whisky you're
A charmer drunk or sober

AAAAAAA D
(Waltz) Whisky, Nancy Whisky
A D
You're as sweet as the dew
D A
I'm lonesome my darling
G A
Since parting with you
AAAAAAA D
Oh kiss me when you're with me
A D
Be easy and free
D/F# A
And I'll throw away the bottle
NC A
And take you with me

Instrumental #1

Water is the strong stuff

It carries whales and ships
But water is the wrong stuff
Don't let it get past your lips
It rots your books, it wets your suits
Puts aches in all your bones
Dilute the stuff with whiskey
Aye, or leave it well alone

Instrumental #2 (2X)

(a capella) Whisky pure

O whisky you're
A charmer drunk or sober