...Not to be confused with Frankie Laine - The old American Cowboy singer!
Mule Train
Frankie Lane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mule train!
Clippety cloppin' over hill and plain
Seems as how they'll never stop, clippety clop, clippety clop
Clippety, clippety, clippety, clippety, clippety cloppin' along
There's a plug of chewy tobacky for a rancher in Corona A guitar for a cowboy way out in Arizona
A dress of calico for a pretty Navajo
Get along, mule! Get along
Mule train!
Mule train!
Clippety cloppin' along the mountain chain
Soon they're gonna reach the top, clippety clop, clippety clop
Clippety, clippety, clippety, clippety, clippety cloppin' along
There's some cotton thread and needles for the folks in way-out-yonder
A shovel for a miner who left his home to wander
Some rheumatism pills for the settlers in the hills
Get along, mule! Get along
Mule train!
Mule train!
Clippety cloppin' through the wind and rain
They'll keep goin' 'til they drop, clippety clop, clippety clop
Clippety, clippety, clippety, clippety, clippety cloppin' along
There's a letter full of sadness and it's black around the border
A pair of boots for someone who had them made to order
A Bible in the pack for the Reverend Mr. Black
Get along, mule! Get along
Get along, mule, get along! (mule train)
The song "Mule Train" by Frankie Lane tells the story of a group of mules traveling across the mountains, delivering various goods to people in need. The song creates an image of the rugged western landscape, with the mules making their way through the wind and rain. The lyrics describe various items being delivered, such as tobacco for a rancher, a guitar for a cowboy, and a dress for a Navajo woman. The song stresses the importance of these items to the people who receive them, as they are often far from town and unable to obtain these goods themselves.
The repetitive chorus of "Mule Train" emphasizes the steady and unrelenting nature of the mules' journey. They will keep going, "clippety clopping" along, until they drop. This also serves to highlight the hardworking and resilient spirit of the people who live in the western frontier.
Overall, "Mule Train" is a catchy and upbeat song that celebrates the hardworking spirit of the American west. It highlights the importance of goods and connections between people, even across long distances.
Line by Line Meaning
Mule train!
The song is about a mule train.
Clippety cloppin' over hill and plain
The sound made by the mules' hooves as they travel over hills and plains.
Seems as how they'll never stop, clippety clop, clippety clop
The mules keep moving without stopping on their journey.
There's a plug of chewy tobacky for a rancher in Corona
A gift of chewing tobacco for a rancher in Corona – a gesture of goodwill.
A guitar for a cowboy way out in Arizona
A guitar for a cowboy living far away in Arizona – another gesture of goodwill.
A dress of calico for a pretty Navajo
A dress made of calico cloth for a pretty Navajo lady – a gift for someone special.
Get along, mule! Get along
A call to the mules to keep moving.
Clippety cloppin' along the mountain chain
The mules continue their journey along the mountain chain.
Soon they're gonna reach the top, clippety clop, clippety clop
The mules are close to reaching the mountain top.
There's some cotton thread and needles for the folks in way-out-yonder
Gifts for the folks living far away – cotton thread and needles.
A shovel for a miner who left his home to wander
A gift for a miner who went away from his home – a shovel.
Some rheumatism pills for the settlers in the hills
Medicine for people living in the hills – rheumatism pills.
Clippety cloppin' through the wind and rain
The mules keep moving even through challenging weather conditions.
They'll keep goin' 'til they drop, clippety clop, clippety clop
The mules will continue their journey until they can't go any further.
There's a letter full of sadness and it's black around the border
A sad letter with a black border – a sign of mourning.
A pair of boots for someone who had them made to order
A custom-made pair of boots for someone – a special gift.
A Bible in the pack for the Reverend Mr. Black
A Bible for the Reverend Mr. Black – a gift for a religious figure.
Get along, mule! Get along
Another call to the mules to keep moving.
Get along, mule, get along! (mule train)
The song concludes with another call to the mules to keep going while repeating the opening line.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bobsherman3284
I am almost 76yo. I remember, when I was 3 or 4, listening to Mule Train while watching my Dad shave. Sorta my first memories from 1949 or 1950. RIP Dad
@ronlawray1563
Black guy here, 79yrs old...grew up in Conn. Sitting here when Frankie Laine crossed my mind along with this song...
Of course wonderful You Tube did it again and transported me back to the fifties, when radio was king along with those songs we gree up with.
@DavidDoesMusic
Ron Lawray Cheers to many more, whatever you do keep listening to good music ;)
@puffinbilly6826
...you kids and your music...
@jrb1802uk
Intrigued as to why you mentioned your skin color?
@GadDag-v1y
who gives a fuck you're black
@moabb0mb
@@jrb1802uk I think it's cool. When I think of someone hankering for some classic Western music, an octogenarian black guy does not automatically come to mind. Just goes to show that timeless music can and should appeal to everyone.
Thanks, elderly black dude or dudette. Thanks to everyone who came searching for this song, including you, @jrb1802uk
@denairisaac9031
my grandmother who was born in 1930 just had me play this. so the future knows.
@tatecrossette2855
Been listen to 30s and 40s since I was 12. 18 now. I wish more of my generation would gain an appreciation for this.
@masters_mixes
Love frankie lane. I got it from my grandfather and im only 12 and i have this on a 33rpm record with many other songs. He wrote many good songs like rawhide