The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #112909   Message #2395233
Posted By: Q (Frank Staplin)
22-Jul-08 - 01:23 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Got a Mule & Her Name is Sal/Erie Canal?
Subject: Lyr Add: LOW BRIDGE EVERYBODY DOWN / ERIE CANAL
Sheet music for "Low Bridge Everybody Down," Thomas S. Allen, was also reprinted in 1913, F. B. Haviland Pub. Co. Inc.. A copy is in the NY State Library.

The online history of New York (NY History web page) mentions the song, and gives the lyrics from the 1905 printing. Only two verses and chorus are shown. I have not found actual sheet music, so I don't know if the additional verses posted above by Barry Finn were there from the start or added later.
Some slight differences to the NY website words, which are linked in the article.

"Low Bridge, Everybody Down (The Erie Canal)" by Thomas S. Allen, 1905.
1st verse: ol' pal, not old pal.
2nd verse: ol' gal, not old gal.
....
Git up there, mule, here comes a lock,
We'll make Rome ....

Song link: Low bridge Houghton Mifflin Company

"Low Bridge, Everybody Down (The Erie Canal)"
by Thomas S. Allen, 1905

I've got a mule, and her name is Sal,
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal.
She's a good ol' worker an' a good ol' pal,
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal.
We've hauled some barges in our day,
Filled with lumber, coal, and hay,
And we know every inch of the way
From Albany to Buffalo.

(chorus)
Low bridge, everybody down!
Low bridge, for we're comin' through a town!
And you'll always know your neighbor,
You'll always know your pal,
If you've ever navigated on the Erie Canal.

We'd better look around for a job, ol' gal,
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal!
'Cause you bet your life I'd never part with Sal,
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal!
Git up there, mule, here comes a lock,
We'll make Rome 'bout six o'clock,
One more trip and back we'll go
Right back home to Buffalo.

(chorus)


State History website:
New York State History

The Lomaxes erred, the first name is Thomas, not 'William.'