The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #5793   Message #2861040
Posted By: Jim Dixon
10-Mar-10 - 10:59 AM
Thread Name: Origins: Whoa Mule
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Mule
Excerpts from an article "Songs and Rhymes from the South" by E. C. Perrow, in Journal of American Folk-Lore, Volume 28 (Lancaster, PA, etc.: American Folk-Lore Society, 1915), page 180:

[The following are grouped under the title LIZA JANE:]

B.
(From Kentucky; mountain whites; MS. of Mr. House; 1905.)

Her nose just like an old coffee pot;
Mouth just like a spout;
Eyes just like an old fireplace
With the ashes all took out.

G.
(From Mississippi; negroes; MS. of Mr. Harrison; 1909.)

Your face looks like the coffee pot;
Your nose looks like the spout;
Your mouth looks like the fireplace
With the ashes done raked out.

H.
(From Mississippi; negroes; MS. of Mr. Upshur; 1909.)

Whoa, mule! whoa, mule!
Whoa, mule! I say!
Keep yo seat Miss Liza Jane,
And hole on to de sleigh.

Keep yo seat, Miss Liza Jane,
An' quit dat actin' de fool;
I ain't got time ter kiss you now;
I'm busy wid dis mule.