Temperance Reel

I make my livin' playin' fiddle, and I play it every night

To tell the truth, I'd fiddle if I didn't make a dime

And I sure like good liquor, it makes me wanna play

The funny thing about the fiddle is it makes you wanna drink

Pour a shot of homemade whiskey and a hundred dollar bill

I'll burn the hair right off of this bow and play the Temperance Reel

And I play one for the ladies, so sweet they swoon and swing

I play one for those I've left and the one that got away

And I play it in the mountains and out on the western plain

I play it for my brother, who I'll never see again

Play it high, play it lonesome like a mountain river wheel

Let's burn the rosin off of this bow and play the Temperance Reel

The drinkin' and dancin' is an awful, dreadful sin

And I know where I'm goin' sure as I know where I've been

This old fiddle bit me on the leg when I was six years old

I guess I'm gonna play it 'til the devil gets my soul

If I could play it all night long, never get my fill

Let's play that rhythm down, boys, and play the Temperance Reel

Let's play that rhythm down, boys, and play the Temperance Reel