Erie Canal Song

Erie Canal Song

The canal connects New York to the Great Lakes and was hugely important for trade. Mules used to tow a barge 15 miles a day until steam power came in.

Suzanne Vaga's version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT78NL34k0c
Bruce Springsteen's version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhHWAyFFv9s

Dm F Gm A
Oh, I've got an old mule and her name is Sal
Dm Bb7 A7 Dm
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal
F Gm A
She's a good old worker and a good old pal
Dm Bb7 A7 Dm
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal
F C7
We've hauled some barges in our day
F Gm A
Filled with lumber, coal, and hay
Dm F Gm A
And every inch of the way we know
Dm Bb7 A7 Dm C7
From Albany to Buffalo

Chorus:
F C7
Low bridge, everybody down
Dm Gm7 A7
Low bridge for we're coming to a town
Dm C
And you'll always know your neighbor
Bb A7
And you'll always know your pal
Gm7 Bb7 A7 Dm
If you've ever navigated on the Erie Canal

We'd better look 'round for a job old gal
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal
'Cause you bet your life I'd never part with Sal
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal
Git up there mule, here comes a lock
We'll make Rome 'bout six o'clock
One more trip and back we'll go
Right back home to Buffalo

Chorus

Oh, where would I be if I lost my pal?
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal
Oh, I'd like to see a mule as good as Sal
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal
A friend of mine once got her sore
Now he's got a busted jaw,
'Cause she let fly with her iron toe,
And kicked him in to Buffalo.

Chorus

Don't have to call when I want my Sal
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal
She trots from her stall like a good old gal
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal
I eat my meals with Sal each day
I eat beef and she eats hay
And she ain't so slow if you want to know
She put the "Buff" in Buffalo

Chorus