MULE SKINNER BLUES
(Rodgers / Vaughn)

Recorded by : Roy Acuff; Belmont Playboys; Buzz Busby & The Bayou Boys; 
Lonnie Donegan; Druhá Tráva; Ramblin' J Elliott; José Feliciano; Fendermen; 
Connie Francis; Woody Guthrie; Grandpa Jones; Kingfish; Benny Martin; 
Joe Meek; Bill Monroe; Van Morrison; Odetta; Old & In The Way; 
Osborne Brothers; Dolly Parton; Settlers; Billy Smith; Jim Sundquest; 
Sweethearts Of The Rodeo; Champs Vibro; Hank Williams.


Jimmie Rodgers' version - 1930
BLUE YODEL NR. 8 aka MULE SKINNER BLUES
(Original title : "Blue Yodel" #9)


Well it's good morning captain
Good morning shine
Do you need another muleskinner
Out on your new mud line

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

Hey little water boy
Bring that water round
If you don't like your job
Set that water bucket down

Workin' on the good road
Dollar and a half a day
My good girl's waiting on a Saturday night
Just to draw my pay

I'm going to town, honey
What you want me to bring you back
Bring a pint of booze
And a John B Stetson hat

I smell your bread a-burning
Turn your damper down
If you ain't got a damper, good gal
Turn your bread around


*****


The Fendermen's version - 1960


Well, good morning, Captain
Well, good morning to you
Do you need another mule skinner
Down on your new mud run
Ha, ha, hip, ee, ee.........

CHORUS
Well, I'm an old mule skinner
From down Kentucky way
And I can make any mule listen
Or I won't accept your pay
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha
Hee, hee, hee, hee, hee, ha, ha
Well hey, hey

Little water boy, come here boy
Bring that water bucket around
Ha, ha, ha
If you don't like your job
Water boy, put that bucket down
Ha, ha, ha, ee, ee, ha, ha, ha

(CHORUS)



(Contributed by Nancy - June 2004)