Lyr Req: I'm the Man That Rode the Mule 'Round...

Subject: Lyr Add: I'M THE MAN WHO RODE THE MULE AROUND...
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 19 Jul 17 - 08:04 PM

Wainwright doesn't sing exactly the same words as Charlie Poole, but his words are quite acceptable and they're much easier to understand.


I'M THE MAN WHO RODE THE MULE AROUND THE WORLD
As recorded by Loudon Wainwright III on "High Wide & Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project" (2009)

I promised to meet her when the clock struck twenty-three
Down in the village just four miles out of town.
She runs the local tavern and the liquor's always free,
But the pickles sell for nineteen cents a pound.

Oh, she's my daisy; she's black-eyed and she's crazy,
Prettiest girl I thought I ever saw.
Now her breath smells sweet, but I'd rather smell her feet,
For she's my freckle-faced consumptive Sarah Jane.

(He's the man who rode the mule around the world.
He's the man who rode the mule around the world.)
I rode in Noah's ark and I'm as happy as a lark.
I'm the man who rode the mule around the world.

I was born about ten thousand years ago,
And there's nothin' on this earth that I don't know.
I saw Peter, Paul and Moses playin' ring-around-the-roses,
And I can whup the man that says it isn't so.

(He's the man who rode the mule around the world.
He's the man who rode the mule around the world.)
And for pharaoh's little kiddies, I built all the pyramiddies.
I'm the man who rode the mule around the world.

Queen Elizabeth she fell in love with me.
We were married in Milwaukee secretly,
But I rose up and I shook 'er and went off with General Hooker
To shoot mosquitoes down in Memphis, Tennessee.

(He's the man who rode the mule around the world.
He's the man who rode the mule around the world.)
I set the flags a-flyin' when George Washington quit lyin'.
I'm the man who rode the mule around the world.

I'm a very highly educated man.
There's not a thing that I don't understand.
I've been around so long that I used to sing this song
When Abraham and Isaac rushed the can.

(He's the man who rode the mule around the world.
He's the man who rode the mule around the world.)
Oh, I rode in Noah's ark; I'm as happy as a lark.
I'm the man who rode the mule around the world.

I promised to meet her when the clock struck twenty-three,
Down in the village just four miles out of town.
She runs the local tavern and the liquor's always free,
But the pickles sell for nineteen cents a pound.

Subject: Lyr Add: I'M THE MAN THAT RODE THE MULE AROUND...
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 19 Jul 17 - 07:24 PM

You can hear this version at YouTube:


I'M THE MAN THAT RODE THE MULE AROUND THE WORLD
As recorded by "Stringbean" (David Akeman)

I was born 'bout four thousand years ago.
[How] I live in this world I do not know.
I saw Peter, Paul and Moses playin' ring-around-the-roses.
I can whup the guy who says it isn't so.

I'm the man who rode the mule around the world.
I'm the man who rode the mule around the world.
I saw Adam and Eve when they dressed theirselves in leaves.
I can whup the guy who says it isn't so.

I was there when the garden was a store.
I saw Adam and Eve driven from the door.
[While] the apples they were eatin', from the bushes I was peepin'.
I can prove that I's the guy who eat the core.

I'm the man who rode the mule around the world.
I'm the man who rode the mule around the world.
I saw Adam and Eve when they dressed theirselves in leaves.
I can whup the guy who says it isn't so.

I taught Moses how to say his A-B-C.
I was there when ol' Noah built his ark.
And I walked in when it started turnin' dark.
I's the guy that helped old Noah close the door.

I'm the man who rode the mule around the world.
I'm the man who rode the mule around the world.
I saw Peter, Paul and Moses playin' ring-around-the-roses.
I can whup the guy who says it isn't so.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'm the Man That Rode the Mule 'Round...
From: GUEST,no one of consequence
Date: 18 Jul 17 - 11:11 AM

A version of the first section that my father sang to us as a lullaby (!). It was a standalone song, with none of the "mule" part. He probably learned it in a hobo jungle in south Alabama in the late 1930's:

Oh, she promised to meet me when the clock struck seventeen
At the stockyards three miles outside of town
Where those pig's feet, and pig ears, and tough old Texas steers
Sell for sirloin steak at sixteen cents a pound (fourteen ounces)

She's my darlin', my daisy, she's cock-eyed, plumb crazy,
She's knock-kneed, bow-legged and she's blind
Got the rheumatism in her teeth (they are false) from the use of Epsom Salts
She's my freckle-faced, consumptive Sara Jane
Hallelujah Sara Jane
Halle -- Sara -- lujah -- Jane

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'm the Man That Rode the Mule 'Round...
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 23 Mar 17 - 12:40 AM

She promised to meet me when the clock struck twenty-three
Down at the stockyard about a mile and a half away
Where picked feets and hog-heads go nineteen cents a pound
She's my freckle-faced consumptive Sara Jane

Oh she's my daisy, she's black-eyed and crazy
The sweetest girl I thought I ever saw
Now her breath smells sweet, but I'd rather smell her feet
She's my freckle-faced consumptive Sara Jane

I'm the man rode the mule around the world
I'm the man rode the mule around the world
I rode in Noah's ark, I'm as happy as a lark
I'm the man rode the mule around the world

I was born four thousand years ago
And there's nothing on this earth I do not know
I saw Moses on the water fighting Pharaoh and his armies
And I can whip the man that says it isn't so

I'm the man rode the mule around the world
I'm the man rode the mule around the world
I rode in Noah's ark, and I'm happy as a lark
I'm the man rode the mule around the world

I saw Satan when he searched the garden o'er
I saw Satan when he searched the garden o'er
The apple they were eating, through the bushes I was peeping
I can prove that I'm the man that ate the core

I'm the man rode the mule around the world
I'm the man rode the mule around the world
I rode in Noah's ark, and I'm happy as a lark
I'm the man rode the mule around the world

I'm a finely educated man
And there's things in my brain that I have planned
Now I've been on earth too long, and I've learned to sing a song
That old Abraham and Jacob used to sing

I'm the man rode the mule around the world
I'm the man rode the mule around the world
I rode in Noah's ark, he surrounded me with a shark
I'm the man rode the mule around the world

I'm the man rode the mule around the world
I'm the man rode the mule around the world
I rode up to the line and I fell up against a pine
I'm the man rode the mule around the world

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'm the Man That Rode the Mule 'Round...
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Dec 13 - 09:12 PM

Hi. I'm trying to work out the chords to the first 2 verses from the charlie poole song but i'm getting confused. He seems to break the 1-4-5 pattern. here's what i have but it doesn't seem correct. (didn't even try the second verse which seems worse.) I assume the rest of the song is the standard "I was born about..." chords. could someone figure this out for me? or point me in a direction to find the chords?

She [D]promised to meet me
When the [G]clock struck twenty-[D]three
[D]Down at the stockyard about a [A]mile and a half away
Where [D]pickle pig's feet and hog's ears
Sell for [G]nineteen cents a [D]pound
She's my [D]freckle-faced consumptive [A]Sara [D]Jane [A] [D]

Oh she's my daisy, she's blackeyed and crazy
The sweetest girl I thought I ever saw
Now her breath smells sweet, but I'd rather smell her feet
For she's my freckle-faced consumption Sara Jane

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'm the Man That Rode the Mule 'Round...
From: GUEST,Moe Hirsch
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 07:13 PM

Another second half of "Freckle Faced Consumptive Saro Jane", probably from the Bahaman singer Blind Blake:


She's my honey, she's funny
She's a good girl, she got money
She got a banjo belly, parrot nose
Her grandma makes her sleep out doors
Some say her breath is false
From drinking epsom salts
She's my freckle faced, consumptive Sara Jane

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'm the Man That Rode the Mule 'Round...
From: Stewie
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 10:20 PM

Kinnie Rorrer's transcription in 'Rambling Blues: The Life & Songs of Charlie Poole' has:

Where pickled pig's feet and hog's ears
Sell for 19 cents a pound
She's my freckle-faced consumptive Sara Jane

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'm the Man That Rode the Mule 'Round...
From: PHJim
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 08:50 AM

Loudon sings:


Now I've been on earth so long, that I used to sing this song
When old Abraham and Jacob kicked the can.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'm the Man That Rode the Mule 'Round...
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 08:27 AM

You can hear this song, and many others, at The Internet Archive:

Some corrections to the lyrics posted by Dale Rose back in 1997:

VERSE 1:
She promised to meet me when the clock struck twenty-three,
Down at the stockyards about a mile and a half away,
While pickled feet and hog heads was nineteen cents a pound.
She's my freckle faced dumpling Sara Jane.

VERSE 8:
I'm a highly educated man
And there's things in my brains that I have planned.
Now I've been on earth too long, till I've learned to sing a song
That old Abraham and Jacob used to sing.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'm the Man That Rode the Mule 'Round...
From: GUEST,James in Texas
Date: 17 Aug 11 - 05:59 PM

I guess by now, every one knows about "High Wide & Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project". Loudon Wainwright III does 30 of Charlie's songs on two CD's. It is available at Amazon. It comes with a booklet of lyrics to all songs and some old photographs.
I highly recomend it!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: man who rode the mule around the worl
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 02 May 04 - 10:14 PM

It's on volume 3 of County's Charlie Poole Series.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: man who rode the mule around the world
From: GUEST
Date: 02 May 04 - 09:58 PM

Until my Grandfather's passing 6 years ago, he regularly sang to me I'm the man that rode the mule around the world. I can't believe I can't remember all the words. However someone gave me a 4 week old mule, and I named him after my grandfather. So, I'd love to find the words to the song. Can you help? Thanks. Martha

Subject: RE: man who rode the mule around the world
From: 12-stringer
Date: 03 Nov 03 - 04:43 PM

That should be (second line of stanza)

(D) I'm the (A7) man that rode the mule around the world

Subject: RE: man who rode the mule around the world
From: 12-stringer
Date: 03 Nov 03 - 04:24 PM

(D)I'm the man that rode the mule around the world
(D) I'm the man that rode the mule around (A7) the world
(D) Well, I rode him in Noah's Ark, just as (G) happy as a lark
(A7) I'm the man that rode the mule around (D) the world.

Subject: RE: man who rode the mule around the world
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Nov 03 - 02:37 PM

Anyone got the chords?

Subject: RE: man who rode the mule around the world
From: Earl
Date: 03 Jan 98 - 04:57 PM

"If I Lose, I Don't Care" is in the database (I should have checked first.) I could still use Charlie Poole's "Ramblin Blues" though.

Subject: RE: man who rode the mule around the world
From: Dale Rose
Date: 30 Dec 97 - 10:55 AM

Right, Earl! That helps. line one=Promised to meet me when the clock struck twenty-three
line three seems to contain the phrase, Pickeled feet and hog ears, and it does seem that Sara Jane was consumptive!

Subject: RE: man who rode the mule around the world
From: Earl
Date: 30 Dec 97 - 10:00 AM

Dale,
The New Lost City Ramblers did a song called "Hungry Hash House" with a verse about Sara Jane somewhat similar to the one in your song. Maybe this will help you fill in the blanks.


She promised that she'd meet me when the clock struck seventeen
At the stockyard just ten miles outside of town
Where there's pig's feet and pig's ears and those great big Texas steers
Sell that sirloin steak for ninety cents a pound

She's my darlin she's my daisy; She's humpbacked and she's crazy
She's knock kneed, bowlegged and she's lame
I know her breath is sweet, But I'd rather smell her feet
She's my freckle faced, consumptive Sara Jane


By the way, since you seem to have quite a bit of experience with Charlie Poole songs, do you have the words to either "Ramblin Blues" or "If I Lose, I Don't Care" kicking around?

Subject: Lyr Add: I'M THE MAN THAT RODE THE MULE 'ROUN...^^
From: Dale Rose
Date: 30 Dec 97 - 01:57 AM

Before I start, I have to apologize that despite the fact that I have listened to Charlie Poole untold times over the last thirty years or so, there are some phrases that I simply cannot decipher. His diction is difficult to interpret, to say the least. I considered not putting up anything until I had a clearer version, but finally decided that I would put up what I had so far, and maybe that would lead others to finish it. Where long phrases are unclear, or I have only a small part of it, I have put (indecipherable). Where only a word or two is missing, I have put ???. I will continue to work on it, and will check with some of my sources sometime in the next few weeks. Again, I apologize for such an unsatisfactory translation.

I'm The Man That Rode The Mule 'Round The World
as recorded by Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, 1925
Reissued on County 540, Charlie Poole, Volume 4, probably early 70s

(indecipherable)
Down at the stockyards about a mile and a half away
(indecipherable)
She's my freckle faced ??? Sara Jane

Oh she's my daisy, black-eyed and crazy
Sweetest girl I thought I ever saw
Now her breath smells sweet, but I'd rather smell her feet
For she's my freckle faced ??? Sara Jane

I'm the man who rode the mule around the world
I'm the man who rode the mule around the world
Rode in Noah's ark, I'm as happy as a lark
I'm the man who rode the mule around the world

I was born four thousand years ago
And there's nothing on this earth I do not know
I saw Moses on the water, fighting pharaoh and his armies
And I can whup the man that says it tisn't so

I'm the man who rode the mule around the world
I'm the man who rode the mule around the world
I rode in Noah's Ark and I'm happy as a lark
I'm the man who rode the mule around the world

I saw Satan when he ??? that garden oe'r
I saw Satan when he ??? that garden oe'r
The apple they were eating, through the bushes I was peeping
I can prove it, I'm the man that ate the core

I'm the man who rode the mule around the world
I'm the man who rode the mule around the world
I rode in Noah's Ark and I'm happy as a lark
I'm the man who rode the mule around the world

I'm a highly educated man
and there are things in my brains that I have planned
Now I've been on earth too long, ??? sing a song
(indecipherable, something about Jacob and Abraham)

I'm the man who rode the mule around the world
I'm the man who rode the mule around the world
I rode in Noah's ark, he surround me with a shark
I'm the man who rode the mule around the world

I'm the man who rode the mule around the world
I'm the man who rode the mule around the world
I rode up to the line and I fell up against a pine
I'm the man who rode the mule around the world

^^

Subject: RE: man who rode the mule around the world
From: Dale Rose
Date: 29 Dec 97 - 11:13 PM

You are right, Bruce, that it is related to the Born About a thousand/four thousand/10,000 Years Ago family of songs. In my opinion, the definitive version is that of Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers recorded in 1925. Unfortunately, it is not on either of his CD reissues, so that means I have to dig through piles of records to find it. And then try to figure out what Charlie is saying! I did locate a quote from Norman Woodlieff, who was Charlie's guitar player on that session.

"There were some words that Charlie put to Man that rode the mule that relate to a true incident that happened up in the country by the North Carolina state line. A bunch of us were up there fooling with a mule and I got him and he went over to a pine tree and rubbed up against it so I fell off.
Charlie wrote the words:
'I rode up to the line
And I fell up against a pine . . .'
That's what that means."
Norman Woodlieff, from a 1972 interview by Janet Kerr

Subject: RE: man who rode the mule around the world
From: Bruce O.
Date: 29 Dec 97 - 08:20 PM

I've heard a black 'gospel' version of "I was born about 10,000 years ago", that commenced about that way. I think there's a version in DT.

Subject: man who rode the mule around the world
From:
Date: 29 Dec 97 - 08:04 PM

An old gentleman in our choir from Tennessee has been trying to remember the words to a very old song, "I'm the Man Who Rode the Mule Around the World." If anyone knows the words would appreciate e-mail at the above address. Thanks.