Origins: Whoa Mule

Subject: RE: Origins: Whoa Mule
From: Bill D
Date: 01 Aug 21 - 09:44 AM

Had a mule down on our farm,
He had a strong back.
Met the Texas railroad train and
Kicked it off the track.

      cho: "Whoa, old mule, Ms. Liza you keep cool.
      Ain't got time to kiss you now, I'm busy with my mule"

Had a goat down on our farm,
Ate up old tine cans.
When those little goats were born,
They came in Ford sedans.

Had a cat down on our farm
Swallowed a ball of yarn.
When those little cats was born,
They all had sweaters on.

From an LP by Ralph Lee Smith about 1978
I think it was the first tune I learned on dulcimer.
(I seem to remember a verse about a dog... gotta go listen again.)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Mule
From: GUEST,Everett
Date: 24 Oct 13 - 09:19 PM

This song is great for the representation of freedom that old time music is. It has been done dozens of different ways by dozens of different artists. The words change, but the chord progression and melody are basically the same and became the foundation for "Liza Jane", "Pig in a pen" and others. I've seen it titled as "Whoa Mule", "Ol Gray Mule" and my favorite, "Johnsons Old Grey Mule ". (www.youtube.com/watch?v=U24XpGGFIgA) This one is particularly entertaining!(and explains the wahl wahl wahl!) Also check out this...(www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qIGOd_W5gg) The Dillards did this on a Mayberry episode with Andy Griffith as well.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Mule
From: Mrrzy
Date: 20 Oct 13 - 08:29 PM

Whoa, mule, get up in the alley said wawl, wawl, wawl? I always wondered what that line was but this doesn't appear to tbe the same somg at all?

Subject: Lyr Add: WHOA, MULE, WHOA (Gid Tanner...)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 20 Oct 13 - 08:03 PM

WHOA, MULE, WHOA
As recorded by Gid Tanner & the Skillet Lickers, 1934-03-29

1. Three bells a-ringin', smoke ...(?)
...(?) mule ...(?)

CHORUS 1: Whoa, mule, whoa; whoa, mule, I holler
...(?)

2. If I had a broad-brim hat ...(?) crown,
Go to see some pretty little girl till I leave this town.

CHORUS 2: Whoa, mule, whoa; whoa, mule, I say.
Ain't got time to fool with you; my mule has run away.

3. Times is getting hard; money's gettin' sca'ce [scarce].
If times don't get no better here, I'm bound to leave this place.

4. See my mule a-comin'; he's got his ears laid back.
If he gets to kickin' that train, gonna kick it off the track.

5. ...(?)
Shoes and stockin's in her hand and foot all over the floor.

6. Asked that gal to marry me; said she'd see me later.
Mashed my ...(?) all over my face, a great big Irish pertater.

Subject: Lyr Add: WHOA MULE WHOA (Hinson, Pitts & Coley)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 20 Oct 13 - 07:39 PM

WHOA, MULE, WHOA
As recorded by Hinson, Pitts and Coley (Bluebird B-7438-A), 1938.

CHORUS: Whoa, mule, whoa; whoa, mule, I say.
I ain't got time to kiss you now; my mule done run away.
Whoa, mule, whoa; whoa, mule, I holler.
Tie a knot in that mule's tail before he goes through the collar.

1. Wouldn't marry an old maid; tell you the reason why:
Hair so long and stringy, I's 'fraid she'd never die.

2. Wouldn't marry a cotton-mill boy; tell you the reason why:
Ev'ry time he makes a move, you'll see the little engines fly. (?)

3. Wouldn't marry a cotton-mill girl; tell you the reason why:
Ev'ry time she combs her hair, she tends that comb goodbye. (?)

4. Had an old hound dog; he's blind as he could be,
But ev'ry night at supper time, I b'lieve that dog could see.

5. Bake them biscuits, baby; bake them good and brown.
We'll stop by to see you when we get back from town.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Mule
From: Bill D
Date: 09 Oct 13 - 08:24 PM

Wow...lots of verses in the passing years...

Like my daddy used to say: "It's the same...only diff'rnt."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Mule
From: GUEST,Michelle Hallam
Date: 09 Oct 13 - 04:24 PM

Learned this one from my Grandpa who was born in 1898:

Well it's home mule, home Why don't you let him hollar
Tie a slipknot to his tail and hitch it to his collar ho!

Put him on the race track Why don't you let him go
The last words I heard him say was HOME MULE, HOME

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Mule
From: open mike
Date: 29 Mar 13 - 11:12 PM

I think the 78 rpm record i heard with this song on it was by
Charlie Parker or Chubby Parker.

here are a couple of you tube links to this song (none of which are the version i remember)
Raymond Fairchild - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR-ZBOkeo_U
Andy Griffith - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpKhWePGNPc
Tennessee Mafia Jug Band - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pz9Jm1j2w0

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Mule
From: GUEST,Lori
Date: 29 Mar 13 - 02:25 PM

to Michelle (05 sep 10) -Just saw your post now...sorry! Re : Ridin' on a Humpback Mule...I know of a 1935 recording of this (your lyrics are very close) by the Shelton Brothers. The link below should take you to a little player from the website jazz-on-line.com which will play the song. The website itself while being mostly jazz has tons of old-time music too!

http://incoming.jazz-on-line.com/a/mp3o/DEC60263.mp3

Enjoy!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Mule
From: GUEST,borrego gal
Date: 27 Mar 13 - 10:59 AM

My father in law used to sing a similar song:

I'm the owner of a mule The bob tailed southern kind
He had springs in both hind feet And both his eyes were blind

Why dont you hitch him up? Why dont you make him go
But every time i turned around It's whoa mule whoa.

well it's Whoa, mule, whoa. Don't you hear him holler?
Tie a bow-knot in his tail or he'll jump through the collar.

Why don't you take him to the track? Why don't you let him go?
Every time I turn around, it's Whoa, mule, whoa.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Mule
From: Bobinthebul
Date: 17 Feb 13 - 08:02 AM

I have a recording of Clarence Ashley singing it; here's his version. I've heard a couple of the verses in "Old Joe Clark" as well.

Whoa, mule, Whoa mule I say
Keep your seat, Miss Liza Jane, Hold Right to the sleigh

I went up on the mountain to get me a sack of corn
Racoon set his dog on me and the possum blowed his horn

Alternate chorus
Whoa, mule, Whoa mule I holler
Tie a knot in that mule's tail or he'll go through the collar

Went up on the mountain, to give my horn a blow
Thought I heard some pretty girl say, yonder comes my beau.

I would not marry a tall slim gal, tell you the reason why
Her neck's so long and stringy I'm afraid she'll never die.

I went to kiss my gal last night, I thought I'd do it sneakin'
I missed her mouth and hit her nose and the doggone thing was leakin'.

A peanut sitting on a railroad track, his heart was all a-flutter
Around the curve come a passenger train, toot, toot - peanut butter!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Mule
From: GUEST,Derik
Date: 05 Nov 12 - 06:37 PM

I was taught this song by a woman who said her brother wrote it. I was about 11 yrs old and still remember it in my 40s.

Whoa there mule a boy, Whoa there mule a holler,
tie a knot in the old mule's tail so he won't slide through the collar.

the night before i bought that mule i couldn't wait for day,
every time i closed my eyes i could hear that mule a bray.
whoa there mule a boy whoa there mule a holler
tie a knot in the old mule's tail so he won't slide through the collar.

three buzzards came a-sailing by and the old mule tried to duck 'em
but before i could take the the bridle off the old mule kicked the bucket,
whoa there mule a boy whoa there mule a holler
tie a knot in the old mule's tail so he won't slide through the collar.

they used his meat for axle grease, tanned his hide for leather
but he was too young and tender to stay out in the weather,
whoa there mule a boy whoa there mule a holler
tie a knot in the old mule's tail so he won't slide through the collar.

Hope you like it, Derik

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Mule
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Apr 12 - 01:24 AM

Who does this? I use to listein to it when I was VERY young & would so like to know how to get it!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Mule
From: GUEST,Michelle
Date: 05 Sep 10 - 12:40 AM

My Grandfather used to sing us a version of this tune, I am trying to find a recording of it, I have only ever heard his version. Here it is..

Chorus:
Ridin' on a hump back mule. Ridin' on a humpback mule.
The only song that I can sing is ridin' on a humpback mule..

Well I went to see my gal last night, thought I was a sneakin'
I kissed her nose instead of her mouth and the dog-gone thing was leakin!

Chorus

Well I thought I'd marry a skinny gal but I tell you what she'd do
she'd pull the plug in the bathtub and she's liable to go through!

Chorus....

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Mule
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 10 Mar 10 - 10:59 AM

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.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Mule
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 10 Mar 10 - 10:28 AM

Uncle Dave Macon's song HOLD ON TO THE SLEIGH has some lines in common with WHOA MULE, e.g.:

"I ain't got time to kiss you now. I'm busy with the mule."

A transcription has been posted here in the thread Lyr Add: songs by Uncle Dave Macon and a "corrected" version in the following message.

Subject: Lyr Add: WHOA MULE
From: Gern
Date: 08 Mar 10 - 07:48 PM

The one I know is very close:


I used to have an old gray mule, weighed 1500 pounds.
Every tooth in that mule's head was 13 inches round.

Whoa, mule, whoa! Whoa, mule, stay!
I ain't got time to kiss you now. my mule's running away.

Grandpa rode that old mule, rode her into town.
Before he had her cross the creek, the buzzards had him down.
Whoa, mule....

Now Peter was a big old boy. Peter wasn't stout.
Then Peter took the measles, and Peter petered out.
Whoa, mule....

I used to have an old banjo all strung up with twine.
The only song you'd hear me sing is "I wish that girl were mine."
Whoa, mule....

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Mule
From: open mike
Date: 08 Mar 10 - 07:45 PM

I recall the song (like the one that GUEST,mule posted 18 May 01 )

This one was on a 78 at the old homestead of my grandparents' place (along with another that I remember...Old Gray Mare, she ain't what she used to be) Wish i remembered who the singer/s was/were) they had a Victrola.


Whoa, mule, whoa. Don't you hear 'em holler?
Tie a bow-knot in his tail or he'll jump through the collar.

Why don't you take him to the track? Why don't you let him go?
Every time I turn around, it's "Whoa, there, mule, whoa."

Riding on a hump-back mule, oh mule,
Riding on a hump-back mule,
(la la la la la, la la la la la la)--forgot these lyrics...
Riding on a hump-back mule.

i can just hear the tune, but do not know how to post it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Mule
From: GUEST,Guy in London
Date: 08 Mar 10 - 09:05 AM

I heard a song like this a long time ago. I'm trying to find out who sang it and where I can get a copy.
The lyrics go (as far as I can remember) like this:

Well Grandma had a mule from the day that it was born
It took about 40 days to plough a field of corn

Oh mule oh Oh mule I say
I ain't got time to kiss you now the mule has run away

I went to see Miss Donna. She was bent over a tub
But the more I talked of marriage, Well, the harder she did scrub

Oh mule oh, Oh mule I say
I ain't got time to kiss you now, the mule has run away

Now don't go tellin lies. I advise you to be true
(don't remember this part) Or you'll be goin' too

Oh mule oh, Oh mule I say
I ain't got time to kiss you now, the mule has run away


Does anyone know this song, please?

let me know if you do [e-mail]

thankyou

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Mule
From: kendall
Date: 22 Oct 06 - 03:44 PM

Once I had an old grey mule his name was Simon Slick
He cocked his ears and humped his back and man, that mule would kick

How that mule would kick he'd kick 'til his dying breath
He drove his hind feet down his throat and stomped himself to death.

Whoa mule...

I saw a possum in the road blind as he could be
He jumped the fence and whipped my dog and he bristled up at me.

Whoa mule whoa, whoa mule I say,
tie a knot in that mule's tail that mule gonna run away.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Mule
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 22 Oct 06 - 02:42 PM

The "Whoa, Mule, Whoa! posted by Mark Cohen 19 Mar 01, and this fragment in Perrow, seem to be related. They seem unrelated to the 'sleigh' song written by Hays (see link above).

WHOA, MULE!

Whoa, mule! whoa! Can't you hear him holler?
Tie a knot in the end of his tail, Or he'll jump through his collar.*

* "a stock gibe at an underfed animal. Cf. Jour American Folk-Lore, vol. xxiv, p. 371."
Mississippi Negroes, MS of A. B. Pitts. 1909. E. C. Perrow, "Songs and Rhymes from the South," II Songs in Which Animals Figure, 1911, Jour. American Folk-Lore, vol. 25, pp. 137-155.

Subject: RE: Req Lyric: Whoa Mule
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Oct 05 - 04:26 PM

I used to have an old coon dog, blind as blind could be
But every night at supper time I believe that dog could see
I used to love that old coon dog, wish I could bring him back
He'd run the big deer over the fence and the little ones through the cracks

Subject: Lyr Add: WHOA MULE (from Lee Sexton)
From: GUEST,Gern
Date: 18 May 01 - 02:05 PM

Hey Kytrad--I don't have that CD, but I sure know Lee Sexton's music and that of the various other Sextons. His version of "Whoa Mule" is something like this:

Jaybird died of whooping cough, sparrow died of colic
'Long come a frog with a fiddle on his back, c'mon girl to the frolic.
Whoa Mule whoa; whoa mule, stay,
I ain't got time to kiss you now, my mule's running away.

I used to have a big old mule, rode him into town
Before I had him cross the creek, the buzzards had him down

Peter was a big old boy, Peter wasn't stout
Then Peter took the measles, and Peter petered out.

Other verses might be alternated from any of the versions listed above. I've seen a video of Lee playing this at a square dance, overalls and all, somewhere in the KET-TV files.

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 7-Jun-02.

Subject: Lyr Add: WHOA MULE
From: GUEST,mule
Date: 18 May 01 - 01:31 PM

Whoa, mule, whoa. Don't you hear 'em holler?
Tie a bow-knot in his tail or he'll jump through the collar.

Why don't you take him to the track? Why don't you let him go?
Every time I turn around, it's "Whoa, there, mule, whoa."

Riding on a hump-back mule, oh mule,
Riding on a hump-back mule,

This is what I recall of the lyrics from an old 78.

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 7-Jun-02.

Subject: RE: Req Lyric: Whoa Mule
From: Bill D
Date: 19 Mar 01 - 08:31 PM

have not heard him or that recording yet...sounds neat!(and he'd probably look silly in a suit & tie , anyway...*grin*)

Subject: RE: Req Lyric: Whoa Mule
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 19 Mar 01 - 08:19 PM

Has anyone heard the Juneappal release by KY banjo-player Lee Sexton, CD entitled, "Whoa, Mule?" It's on the market now and it's great. Lee is my neighbor, a dedicated farmer, always wears his overhalls, even onstage, is one of the world's good guys- the salt of the earth. Jean

Subject: RE: Req Lyric: Whoa Mule
From: Bill D
Date: 19 Mar 01 - 07:19 PM

yep...that looks like "Old Joe Clark" ..my version has a very simple tune, but I am NOT sure how to post it(boy, I wish those "hum it and it prints sheetmusic" programs worked..)

Subject: RE: Req Lyric: Whoa Mule
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Mar 01 - 07:17 PM

I don't have a tune!

Joe, did you find it through my belated use of ADD in the subject a few posts later? With CRS, this may occur again. I AM trying to remember all the guidelines; I just have so much trouble seeing that right now I am concentrating on good proofing and HTML coding.

~S~

Subject: RE: Req Lyric: Whoa Mule
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Mar 01 - 07:09 PM

Joe can change the lack of "ADD" easily enough, once he finds the lyrics. Now, he's looking for a tune. I take it the lyrics JVZ pposted go to the tune of "Old Joe Clark" - correct? What about the others, Bill and Susan?
Nice song.
Hey, take a look in the Digital Tradition at Mule Get Up in the Alley - different song, I think.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Req Lyric: Whoa Mule
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Mar 01 - 07:04 PM

Well THIS girl liked it, Mark.

~S~

Subject: Lyr Add: WHOA, MULE, WHOA
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 19 Mar 01 - 07:01 PM

When I was in the All-Philadelphia Boys' Choir in 1962 (I was a first soprano!) we sang a choral version of this song, with the title "Whoa, Mule, Whoa". As best I can recall, the lyrics were:

Once I had an old black mule
I found him in a holler
Tied a slipknot in his tail
His head slipped through the collar

Hurry hurry help me
Hee-haw, hee-haw, hee-haw
Hurry hurry help me
Hee-haw, hee-haw, hee-haw
Whoa mule I tell you
Whoa mule I say
I have no time to pet you now
But don't you run away...

I think there was a second verse, too, but it's long gone from my memory. At the end, the whole choir shouted "Whoa, mule, whoa! Whoa.......mule!"

I knew you'd all like to know that.

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: Req Lyric: Whoa Mule
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Mar 01 - 03:49 PM

Yeah, the old stuff feels funny coming back, ain't?

I'm getting stuff ready to work with boy scouts on old songs and the folk process. Some of these threads are perfect examples, to print and take with me.

So Bill, you done been processed!

Joe will be mad at me for forgetting to change the subject line to LYRICS ADD though!

~S~

Subject: RE: Req Lyric: Whoa Mule
From: Bill D
Date: 19 Mar 01 - 03:35 PM

gee..*grin*...I'd forgotten I posted that. Thanks, susan...nice variation

Subject: Lyr Add: WHOA, MULE, WHOA (Traditional)^^
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Mar 01 - 02:08 PM

Maybe we have these elsewhere, but I am putting them here, since it's the most obvious thread title in the list when you search for WHOA MULE. They are adapted as a his/hers duet or as boy/girl song-led, in alternating verses.

~Susan

---

WHOA, MULE, WHOA (Traditional)

Unison, to introduce pattern
Grandma had a muley cow, Muley when she's born.
It took a jaybird forty years To fly from horn to horn.

Chorus, unison
Whoa, mule, whoa! Whoa, mule, I say!
Ain't got time to kiss my love, The mule has run away.

Girl leads girls
Now grandma had a yeller hen, Yeller as pure gold.
She set her on three buzzard eggs; She hatched out one old crow.

Boy leads boys
Daddy has a pickup truck, The thing is made of rust.
Drive it though next Saturday, Go dancing or I'll bust.

Girls
Keep your truck! I'll meet you there, I travel all in style.
Dance you up and dance you down, Waltz a country mile.

Boys
Take your seat Miss Liza, Just you keep 'em cool.
I ain't got time to waltz with you, I'm dancing with this mule!

Girls
I'd never dance with an old man! I'll tell the reason why:
His lips are all tobacco juice, And he never zips his fly!

Boys
Well if I chewed tobacco, I tell you what I'd do:
I'd chew it nice and juicy, And I'd spit it all on you.

(Then participants add verses)

SOURCE: A Joe Morrell bluegrass songbook.

CHORDS:

(D)Grandma had a muley cow, Muley when she's (A)born.
It (D)took a jaybird (G)forty years To (A)fly from horn to (D)horn.

Chorus
(D)Whoa, mule, whoa! Whoa, mule, I (A)say!
Ain't got (D)time to (G)kiss my love, The (A)mule has run a- (D)way.

SH ^^

Subject: Lyr Add: WHOA MULE^^
From: JVZ
Date: 25 Jul 98 - 09:12 AM

OK, Sandyriver, as promised, here's the version that ol' Andy sings. By the time you're done, you'll have a pretty long mule song.
WHOA MULE

Used to have an old banjo, 'Twas all strung up with twine,
And the only song you'd hear me sing, Was I wish that gal was mine.
Well, I wish that gal was mine boys, I wish that gal was mine,
The only song you'd hear me sing, Was I wish that gal was mine.

Whoa mule, you kickin' mule, Whoa mule I say.
I ain't got time to kiss you now, My mule's runnin' away.

I took my wife to the barnyard, And I set her down to supper,
Well she got choked on a turkey leg, And stuck her nose in the butter.
Stuck her nose in the butter, Stuck her nose in the butter.
Well she got choked on a turkey leg, And stuck her nose in the butter.

Whoa mule, you kickin' mule, Whoa mule I say.
Tie a knot in that old mule's tail, Before he runs away.

Your face is like a coffee pot, Your nose is like a spout.
Your mouth is like a fireplace, With all the ashes out.
Well, with all the ashes out, boys, With all the ashes out.
Your mouth is like a fireplace with all the ashes out.

Whoa mule, you kickin' mule, Whoa mule I say.
I ain't got time to kiss you now, My mule's runnin' away.

Whoa mule, you kickin' mule, Whoa mule I say.
I ain't got time to kiss you now, My mule's runnin' away.

^^

Subject: ADD: Whoa Mule ^^
From: Bill D
Date: 24 Jul 98 - 05:57 PM

"Whoa, mule Whoa, mule, I holler
Tie a knot in that mule's tail, So he wont slip through the collar

Cho: Whoa, old mule (or, just 'whoa, Mule' depending on how you want to hold or stress the phrase...'...anyway...)
"Whoa, old mule, Miss Liza, you keep cool
"Aint got time to kiss you now, I'm busy with this mule"

"He really was a kicker He had a hard back.
He met the Texas railroad train And kicked it off the track.

Cho:

I would not marry a slim girl I'll tell you boys, it's true.
Pull the string in the bathtub, I'm afraid she might go through.

Cho:

Mary had a little cat, It swallowed a ball of yarn.
When those little cats came out, They all had sweaters on.

Cho:

We had a goat down on our farm, Who swallowed old tin cans.
And when those little goats was born, They came in Ford sedans.

Cho:

We had a dog down on our farm, Wouldn't bark no how.
Then he swallowed an Ingersoll And he's a watchdog now!

Cho:

(Ingersoll was a cheap 'people's watch)

from- 'Dulcimer- old time and traditional music' Ralph Lee Smith & Mary Louise Hollowell- Skyline Records, 1973 ^^

Subject: RE: Req Lyric: Whoa Mule
From: SandyRiver
Date: 23 Jul 98 - 09:58 PM

I'd like to thank everyone for their comments. I did use the search engine to find "Simon Slick" but the tune wasn't quite right. There was also "I Know an Old Canaller" with no midi file. The words fit quite well to the tune I play. I will add a chorus and I think the song will work:

Hi O Mule, Hi O Mule
Hi O you old windbag, now get on the road with me.

This is my best transcription from Uncle Dave Recording (1950).
I am still interested in other verses and would appreciate your input Bill D. and JVZ.

Subject: RE: Req Lyric: Whoa Mule
From: Bill D
Date: 23 Jul 98 - 06:36 PM

there is a song that goes..

"Whoa, old Mule, Miss Liza you keep cool..
I ain't got time to kiss you now, I'm busy with this mule"

(with variations among singers) and goes on to recite various acts & characteristics of not only the mule, but the dogs & cats "down on our farm" this might be the one. I can post it, if you want.

Subject: RE: Req Lyric: Whoa Mule
From: JVZ
Date: 22 Jul 98 - 07:47 PM

Well, Sandyriver, I apologize that I don't have time right now to transcribe it but I think that a great version of the song you're after is on a CD called "Andy Griffith Sings Favorite Old Time Songs" On the CD it is entitled "Flop-Eared Mule" But it is definately a version of the old classic. If you haven't found them by this week-end I'll get back to you.

Subject: RE: Req Lyric: Whoa Mule
From: Barry Finn
Date: 22 Jul 98 - 07:38 PM

see thread Bile That Cabbage Down. Barry

Subject: RE: Req Lyric: Whoa Mule
From: Gene
Date: 22 Jul 98 - 07:28 PM

I played a good L-O-N-G OLD-TIME version of

WHOA! MULE! WHOA! just a few days ago..

trouble is - I don't remember what CD/LP/CAS?

Subject: RE: Req Lyric: Whoa Mule
From: Roger Himler
Date: 22 Jul 98 - 06:20 PM

Sandyriver,

There is a song in the DigiTrad Database (upper right hand corner of this page} called Simon Slick (just type it in the search blank. It has a chorus of Whoa, mule, whoa. It might be what you are looking for.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: Req Lyric: Whoa Mule
From: SandyRiver
Date: 21 Jul 98 - 10:31 PM

I have tried to transcribe these lyrics from an Uncle Dave Macon recording but am having difficulty getting several of the words. I am new to this site and was wondering if anyone could help? I understand Bo Didley also sang this tune.