The Songs He Sang

Mule Skinner Blues: Lyrics

As performed by Cisco Houston (With Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger)

Jimmie Rodgers/George Vaughan

Appears on:

78 Folksay 432-1 A
CD American Folksay: Ballads & Dances, Volumes 1, 2, 3, & 4

Good morning Captain
Good morning son
Good morning Captain
Good morning son
Do you need another mule skinner
Out on your new road line

Well I like to work
I'm rolling all the time
Yes I like to work
I'm rolling all the time
I can pop my initials
On a mule's behind

(Woody: Play that banjo!)

Well it's hey little water boy
Bring your water 'round
And it's hey little water boy
Bring your water 'round
If you don't like your job
Set that water bucket down

I working on that new road
At a dollar and a dime a day
Working out on that new road
At a dollar and a dime a day
I got three women waiting on a Saturday night
Just to draw my pay

Of note:

A far shorter version than the lengthy ballad Cisco performs elsewhere. But who plays that banjo? The CD says Woody, Cisco and Leadbelly (whose voice is unheard.) Did he play banjo???

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