I wish I was a mole in the ground If I’s a mole in the ground
I’d root that mountain down And I wish I was a mole in the ground Oh, Kimpy wants a nine dollar shawl When I come over the hill with a 40 dolalr bill
Baby, where you been so long? I been in the pen so long I been in the pen with the rough and rowdy men
Baby, where you been so long? I don’t like a railroad man Cause a railroad man they’ll kill you when he can
And drink up your blood like wine I wish I was a lizard in the spring If I’s a lizard in the spring I’d hear my darlin’ sing
Yes, I wish I was a lizard in the spring Come, Kimpy, let your hair roll down Let your hair roll down and your bangs curl around
Oh Kimpy, let your hair roll down

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bascom Lamar Lunsford's song "I Wish I Was A Mole In The Ground" depict the hardships and desires of a man facing poverty and incarceration. The singer of the song wishes he was a mole, as they have the ability to dig deep and root out mountains. This reflects his own yearning to escape the difficult circumstances he finds himself in. The lines "Oh, Kimpy wants a nine dollar shawl, When I come over the hill with a 40 dollar bill, Baby, where you been so long?" suggest that he has been away from his loved ones for a long time and wants to make up for lost time by showering them with gifts. However, his financial situation has not improved much as he has been in prison with the rough and rowdy men.

The song also mentions the dangers of working as a railroad man, who can take advantage of and harm others. The line "I don’t like a railroad man, Cause a railroad man they’ll kill you when he can, And drink up your blood like wine" highlights the danger and violence associated with some occupations. The song ends with the singer wishing he was a lizard in the spring, able to hear his beloved singing.

Overall, the song "I Wish I Was A Mole In The Ground" is a poignant reflection on the desires and hardships of life. It showcases the longing for a better life and the struggles faced by those who are poor and incarcerated.

Line by Line Meaning

I wish I was a mole in the ground
If I were a mole, I could easily dig through the mountain.

If I’s a mole in the ground I’d root that mountain down
Being a mole would give me the power to dig through the mountain effortlessly.

And I wish I was a mole in the ground
I really wish I had the power to dig through the mountain like a mole does.

Oh, Kimpy wants a nine dollar shawl
Kimpy desires a shawl that costs nine dollars.

When I come over the hill with a 40 dollar bill Baby, where you been so long?
If I had a 40-dollar bill, I could show up over the hill and ask Kimpy why she has been away for so long.

I been in the pen so long I been in the pen with the rough and rowdy men Baby, where you been so long?
I have been in jail for a while, even sharing a space with violent men. Where have you been, Kimpy?

I don’t like a railroad man Cause a railroad man they’ll kill you when he can And drink up your blood like wine
I have an aversion to railroad men because they're known to be dangerous and will kill you if given a chance. They will even drink your blood as if it's wine.

I wish I was a lizard in the spring If I’s a lizard in the spring I’d hear my darlin’ sing
If I were a lizard during the spring season, I could relax and hear my beloved singing.

Yes, I wish I was a lizard in the spring
Being a lizard in spring seems like a relaxing and enjoyable experience.

Come, Kimpy, let your hair roll down Let your hair roll down and your bangs curl around Oh Kimpy, let your hair roll down
Kimpy, please let your hair out so it falls down naturally and all your bangs curl around. It would be great to see you like this, Kimpy.

Contributed by Riley R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Comments from YouTube:

@8888Rik

2y↑16

I used to play this years ago, back in the 1960s in New York.

Of all the songs I knew and played back then, this one has really stuck with me.

@pauleliot6429

26w↑1

agree, for me it was the 70's. the off rhythm stayed with me.

@philipmc4326

19w

What a song.(2023)

@libprime_

39w↑4

love how slightly arrhythmic the vocals are

@FernandoGarcin

3y↑9

Impressive. Love the spirit of this song. 30 years ago I read this song lyrics and performer quoted in "The Basement Tapes" liner notes by Greil Marcus. Also Dylan "used" a line of this song once, I think. Thank you.