Big Haley, Aunt Haley sold the best shine in the land
Many climbed that mountain for sweet contraband
She kept handy, apple brandy in a keg inside her home
She was catchable but not fetchable so the law left her alone
My great aunt Haley was a great big lady that lived all alone
She weighed 500 pounds but at no fault of her own
After 20 kids she grew so big from that elephant disease
She was confined to her cabin, she could never leave
16 miles from the railroad, three more straight up and down
Folks hiked up Newman’s Ridge from counties all around
So well known for her brandy, folks came from near and far
Haley made a good living at 50 cents a jar
Big Haley, Aunt Haley sold the best shine in the land
Many climbed that mountain for sweet contraband
She kept handy, apple brandy in a keg inside her home
She was catchable but not fetchable so the law left her alone
One hot day in the month of May the sheriff sent his best man
Haley laughed and told him “Son, take me if you can
Go back and tell the judge I will never be his
You can’t get me through the door, much less off this ridge”
Big Haley, Aunt Haley sold the best shine in the land
Many climbed that mountain for sweet contraband
She kept handy, apple brandy in a keg inside her home
She was catchable but not fetchable so the law left her alone
Her story lives on in lore and song now over a hundred years
The legend of Aunt Haley, a moonshine pioneer
She sold shine until she died, in 1898
She never made it off that ridge, still resting there today
Big Haley, Aunt Haley sold the best shine in the land
Many climbed that mountain for sweet contraband
She kept handy, apple brandy in a keg inside her home
She was catchable but not fetchable so the law left her alone
She was catchable but not fetchable so the law left her alone
Words & music by Jason Davis & Robert Starnes
© Between the Trees Music (ASCAP)/ It Says What It Says Music (BMI)
Shirley Smith — Lead Vocals
Phillip Powers — Guitar
Scott Powers — Mandolin
Brandon Elkins — Banjo
Larry Cadle — Fiddle
Bryan Turner — Bass and Harmony Vocal
Click for Liner Notes