The Erie Canal
Composer:
American Traditional by T S Allen
Genre: World / Folk
Decade: before 1923
Submitted by: Russell Ambrose
Description:
From Wikipedia:Cover of sheet music published in 1915.The popular song "Fifteen Miles on the Erie Canal" was written in 1905 by Thomas S. Allen after Erie Canal barge traffic was converted from mule power to engine power, raising the speed of traffic above fifteen miles per day. The tune is sadly nostalgic. Also known as "Low Bridge, Everybody Down," "The Erie Canal Song," "Fifteen Years on the Erie Canal," "Mule Named Sal," and "Fifteen Miles on the Erie Canal," the song memorializes the years from 1825 to 1880 when the mule barges made boomtowns out of Utica, Rome, Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo, and transformed New York into the Empire State.The music cover (right) published in 1915 depicts a boy on a mule getting down to pass under a bridge, but the song refers to travelers who would typically ride on top of the boats. The low bridges would require them to get down out of the way to allow safe passage under a bridge.[1]The song has become part of the folk repertoire, recorded by folksingers like Glenn Yarborough, Pete Seeger and the Weavers, The Kingston Trio, and western artists like the Sons of the Pioneers. Dan Zanes included it on a children`s album with Suzanne Vega singing lead. Bruce Springsteen also recorded the song on his 2006 album We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions.LyricsLow BridgeBy Thomas S. AllenI`ve got a mule, her name is SalFifteen miles on the Erie CanalShe`s a good old worker and a good old palFifteen miles on the Erie CanalWe`ve hauled some barges in our dayFilled with lumber, coal, and hayAnd we know every inch of the wayFrom Albany to BuffaloChorus:Low bridge, everybody downLow bridge cause we`re coming to a townAnd you`ll always know your neighborAnd you`ll always know your palIf you`ve ever navigated on the Erie CanalGet up there Sal, we`ve passed that lock,Fifteen miles on the Erie CanalAnd we`ll make Rome before six o`clockFifteen miles on the Erie CanalOne more trip and back we`ll goThrough the rain and sleet and snowAnd we know every inch of the wayFrom Albany to BuffaloLow bridge, everybody downLow bridge for we`re coming to a townAnd you`ll always know your neighborAnd you`ll always know your palIf you`ve ever navigated on the Erie Canal.
by: Russell Ambrose