The language of the American south is a rich and varied thing, rooted in English but infused with bits and pieces of Native, European, and African languages. Then there's Redneck, the official language of country music. Today, I'll attempt to translate an outlaw country song for those less fluent in the language than a native southerner such as myself. The subject of today's translation will be Copperhead Road by the great Steve Earle . Released in 1986, it was and remains Earle's highest-selling single. Lyrically, it tells the story of a young Appalachian man making his way in the world. The song lyrics will be italicized, the translation in plain script. Let's begin: Well my name's John Lee Pettimore Same as my daddy and his daddy before Allow me to introduce myself. I'm John Lee Pettimore III. You hardly ever saw Grandaddy down here He only come to town about twice a year My grandfather was not one for travelling, although he occasionally...
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