[Paulski]

Hi guys

During the time of prohibition (1918 - 20) there was a man who traveled across Canada carrying bootleg Irish whiskey in a horse drawn cart. He presented himself to lawmakers as Jesus Murphy, peddling bibles door to door. Little did they know that Murphy whiskey was hidden under the bibles.

I don't know how true this story is, but because us Canucks often use "Jesus Murphy" as a profanity, it made good fodder for a song.

Comments/suggs welcomed
Paul

Jesus Murphy Bible Sales
Copyright (c) 2015 Tennyson Road Music

Well the year was 1920
Prohibition in full force
So you couldn't purchase liquor
Cause they pulled it from the stores

But "You couldn't" is a phrase that
Grampa didn't much embrace
So he was glad to see the horsecart
As it clattered up his lane

Now you'd think he'd found religion
With a faith beyond the pale
By the sign pinned on the wagon:
"JESUS MURPHY BIBLE SALES"

{ch}
Jesus Murphy
Jesus Murphy
Jesus Murphy Bible Sales

The flatfoots saw him peddling
But they hadn't cottoned on
Straggly hair and torn apparel
Made him just another bum

But his customers knew better
They lined up around the block
And when the coppers weren't looking
Took a swig of what they'd bought

Jesus Murphy
Jesus Murphy
He's got Whiskey, He's got Ale
Jesus Murphy
Jesus Murphy
Jesus Murphy Bible Sales

His brew was sweet as Barley
Growing in an Irish field
And his Bibles kept it cool and fresh
(And also well concealed)

And with money hard to come by
'Cause the nation was at war
Jesus lived up to his namesake
Charged them what they could afford

{ch}

{br}
Now the preacher was surprised by
This new interest in the Book
What with fewer folk in church pews
The last time that he looked
So one day he came to Jesus
Whistling out his favourite hymn
And when he left his saviour's business
He was two sheets to the wind!
Two sheets to the wind!

{ch}

Jesus Murphy
Jesus Murphy
Jesus Murphy Bible Sales

[hardtwistmusic]

Neat lyric Paul:   What's funny is that I had absolutely no idea that you had a few years of prohibition in Canada.  Ten years before our attempt.  Fascinating. 

In all the old prohibition gangster movie, the whiskey always is "coming in from Canada" so I just assumed you Canucks always had better sense than we did. 

At least yours didn't last as long as ours.  Probably didn't work any better than ours either.

Funny statistic about phohibition HERE.  Whiskey consumption actually INCREASED during prohibition. 

[Wicked Deeds]

Hey Paul,

Quality lyrics that tell  a wonderful story. Interesting, intelligent writing.

Paul

[Vintage54]

    Paulski old mate,
          Can i have another bottle of this please? and a bottle of whatever you were on when you wrote it. Absolutely love this, every verse is strong and memorable, and the bridge that rounds it off is just a brilliant conclusion. 80% proof at least, great stuff.

                                     vintage54

[Arkwright]

Classic Paulski storytelling at it's very best...

I know very little of prohibition in either Canada or the States and I was trying to decide whether the song would have meant much to me without the explanation, but in truth it needed NO explanation because the storytelling is so good.

Great flow, some wonderful near rhymes and every line a gem.

Nothing I could add or suggest anything you should take away.... A stellar piece of writing my friend.

[Paulski]

Verlon, Paul, Vintage and Steve

Thanks so much for the kind remarks on this one!
Made my day!

Paul

[PaulAds]

Great storytelling!

I love how you can seemingly take any event and bring it to life in such a warm, amusing and sympathetic way.

I'm sure you put plenty of hard work in...but you have a massive natural flair for "this stuff"

Excellent 

[Neil C]

PAUL, Great title and really great storytelling. SO much to like hear, look forward to hearing what you do with it.
  
Neil

[mondobongo]

I have never commented in the lyrics section before as I don't feel qualified and don't have the imagination to envisage them in a finished song.

This is different though. It's a brilliant lyric that reads like a poem and I can already hear the song coming through.
Brilliant piece of craftsmanship. Can't wait to hear the song!

[tomcrocus]

Paul i can only echo the rest of the comments,it was a joy to read
and a great story,"Jesus Murphy" i just love that name,
                                                                           respect,
                                                                                       Tom.

[Paulski]

PaulAds, Neil, Mo and Tom!

You guys are way too kind!
This story kind of told itself once I read about the dude.

Appreciate all the support!
Paul

[den]

going to love hearing this, its got the feel of a folk/country standard already. brilliant.

[Paulski]

Sorry to resurrect this old thread - but thought you might like to hear what a fine fellow in Louisiana wrote for music for this. It's just an iPhone recording but I think the low quality adds to the story

https://soundcloud.com/paulcanuck/jesus-murphy-bible-sales-featuring-ryan-harris/s-mI0YT

[mickeytwonames]

Love the verse

His brew was sweet as Barley
Growing in an Irish field
And his Bibles kept it cool and fresh
(And also well concealed)

Great job