Lyr Req/Add: You're Nothin' But a It (Ken Curtis)

Subject: Lyr Req: Ain't Nothin' But An It
From: XLdonkeys
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 11:15 AM

Hello friends at The Mudcat Cafe, I am hoping that someone, somewhere will have the lyrics for Ken Curtis' song "Ain't Nothin' But An It" about mules......I have searched high and low and am unable to come up with the lyrics. I do have a 1965 recording of the song, but boy oh boy, it will take me a week to get them all down from a CD.....and I have animals to feed and chores to do:-)I am hoping to write an article about the song for Western Mule Magazine...thanks everyone, Deb and the longears

Subject: Lyr Add: NOTHIN' BUT A IT (Ken Curtis)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 28 Oct 10 - 11:09 PM

Found at YouTube:


NOTHIN' BUT A IT*
(Ken Curtis)**

The mule an' the fool, they ain't no comparison.
The mule's got a heap o' brains, the fool not a whit.
The Lord built 'im on the run
An' must 'a' had a heap o' fun.
A mule ain't a he or she. He's nothin' but a it.
Poor mule! Work all day.
Pull an' tug for your oats an' hay.
You get your lonesome stall when the lantern's lit,
But you git no love 'cause you're nothin' but a it.
Whoa-oh-oh-oh, poor mule!

Well now I had me a mule and her name was Edward Lucifer.
A time or two he kicked me but it didn't hurt a bit.
All he done was break my arm
An' didn't mean a bit o' harm,
And I plumb forgive her 'cause he's nothin' but a it.
Poor mule! Work all day.
Sad the sound of your lonesome bray.
I don't blame you none if you throw a fit,
But you git no love 'cause you're nothin' but a it.
Whoa-oh-oh-oh, poor mule!

The long-eared mule helped to build America,
A-sweatin' an' a-strainin' an' a-chawin' on a bit,
Scalded by the summer sun
An' froze to death when winter come,
A-balkin' an' complainin' 'cause he's nothin' but a it.
Poor mule! Work all day.
Sad the sound of your lonesome bray.
I don't blame you none if you throw a fit,
But you git no love 'cause you're nothin' but a it.
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh!
Fool mule!


* NOTHIN BUT A IT is the official title according to Repertoire.BMI.com. However, several sources say the title on the record was YOU'RE NOTHIN' BUT A "IT". The album was called "Gunsmoke's Festus Sings 'n' Talks 'Bout Dodge City 'n' Stuff" according to a description here

** Ken Curtis played "Festus" on "Gunsmoke." He was also a member of the Sons of the Pioneers.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ain't Nothin' But An It
From: Charley Noble
Date: 29 Oct 10 - 08:06 AM

You got to love 'em mule-drivin' songs!

Mule train!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble