Mule Skinner Blues
Bill Monroe & The Monroe Brothers Lyrics
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Do you need another mule skinner
Out on your new road line
Well I like to work
I'm rolling all the time
Lord I like to work boy
I'm rolling all the time
Right on a mule's behind
Well it's hey little water boy bring your water 'round
Lord it's hey little water boy bring your water 'round
And if you don't like your job just set that water bucket down
I work out on the new road from a dollar and a dime a day
Lord I work out on the new road I make a dollar and a dime a day
I've got three women on Saturday night
Waiting to draw my pay
Well I'm going to town honey what can I bring you back
Well I'm going to town baby what can I bring you back
Just bring a pint of good rye
And a John B.Stetson hat
Lord it's raining here and it's storming on the deep blue sea
Lord it's raining here and it's storming on the deep blue sea
Can't no blonde headed woman make a monkey out for me
If your house catches fire and there ain't no water 'round
If your house catches fire and there ain't no water 'round
Just throw your good gal out the window let your house just burn on down
Well I'm leaving here and I ain't gonna take no clothes
I'm leaving here and I ain't gonna take no clothes
There may be good times in this old town but it's better on down the road
The song Mule Skinner Blues is a classic American folk song originally recorded by Jimmie Rodgers in 1930, but Bill Monroe & The Monroe Brothers' version added a new dimension of bluegrass and became a classic in its own right. The song is about the life of a mule skinner, a person who drives or handles mules, particularly those involved in transporting cargo. The song captures the life of a mule skinner with its references to hard work, low pay, and the difficulties of the job.
The opening lines of the song, "Good morning captain, good morning son, do you need another mule skinner out on your new road line?" highlight the singer's willingness to work and his need for a job. The singer's love for his work is evident in lines like "I like to work, I'm rolling all the time," where he describes his ability to mark a mule with his initials. The song also delves into the singer's personal life, with mentions of his three girlfriends and his desire to buy a John B. Stetson hat.
The chorus of "hey little water boy bring your water 'round" is a nod to the tradition of the water boy, who would bring water to people working in the fields. The song also includes a cautionary tale about what to do if your house catches fire without any water near. The song ends with the singer proclaiming his intention to leave his town and find better opportunities.
Line by Line Meaning
Good morning captain good morning son
Greetings to the person in charge and his subordinate
Do you need another mule skinner
Do you require another worker who is skilled in operating mules?
Out on your new road line
On your new railway line
Well I like to work
I derive pleasure from working
I'm rolling all the time
I'm moving frequently from one job to another
Lord I like to work boy
An exclamation to express the enjoyment derived from working
I'm rolling all the time
I'm frequently changing jobs
I can pop my initials
I am very skilled in operating a mule
Right on a mule's behind
On the back of a mule
Well it's hey little water boy bring your water 'round
Requesting the water boy to serve some water
Lord it's hey little water boy bring your water 'round
An exclamation to attract the attention of the water boy
And if you don't like your job just set that water bucket down
If you dislike your work, stop doing it
I work out on the new road from a dollar and a dime a day
I am employed on the new railway line and receive $1.10 per day
Lord I work out on the new road I make a dollar and a dime a day
An exclamation to emphasize that the work is on the new railway line and the wage rate is $1.10 per day
I've got three women on Saturday night waiting to draw my pay
On Saturday night, three women are waiting for me to have my wages paid to spend time with me
Well I'm going to town honey what can I bring you back
I am going to town, dear, what can I purchase for you while I am there?
Well I'm going to town baby what can I bring you back
An endearing address to ask what to purchase while going to town
Just bring a pint of good rye and a John B.Stetson hat
Purchase a pint of quality rye whiskey and a hat brand named John B.Stetson
Lord it's raining here and it's storming on the deep blue sea
An exclamation to evoke the bad weather conditions
Can't no blonde headed woman make a monkey out for me
No blonde woman will make a fool of me
If your house catches fire and there ain't no water 'round
If your house is on fire, and there is no water available
Just throw your good gal out the window let your house just burn on down
Throw your girlfriend out the window and let the home burn. It is not a serious statement, rather a way to add humor to the song.
Well I'm leaving here and I ain't gonna take no clothes
I am departing this place and not taking any of my clothes
There may be good times in this old town but it's better on down the road
This town may have good times, but opportunities are better further down the road
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Jimmie Rodgers, George Vaughn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@shodanart
Unmatched hillbilly voice of Bill Monroe! Incredible discipline he demanded on stage of his musicians! Precise, impeccably dressed and professional!
@barrycook6603
This could well be the greatest Bluegrass performance ever recorded. Bill Monroe and Kenny Baker at the top of thier game!
@smonk4473
I would have loved to be one of those eight people who were there to applaud for them.
@ldaick2358
Also written by the most talented woman to ever live?✌️❤️
@susanblack7782
Yes.
@jertzie
Would give anything to be in that audience!
@sirduff7802
Couldn't agree more. My favorite as well
@mollyhickerson1546
I grew up listening to this and I will die listening to this!!!! Greatest music ever made.
@prof5string
Kenny Baker's playing on this tune is the epitome of bluegrass fiddling. He was the greatest.
@jimwoolley53
prof5string will always be damn straight ,no one today is anywhere near is talent or ability hands down!!!!!