I suspect Griffith got the name wrong for his tune probably on purpose.

The tune he sings is Buckin' Mule and the words are part of other versions of Buckin' Mule as done by the Dillards.

The did not want that name on TV family entertainment -- changed due to similarities to another word you could not say on TV.

Because of this rather excessive bawdlerism, a lot of people do not know the real "flop-eared mule" fiddle tune. I is another fine example of an internet riot.

I'm guessing Holy Modal invented their lyrics.

However, in Holy Modal lyrics, the first line on the record goes "Mule,mule,mule, mule, funny little flop-eared mule".