Born in the farming community of Niagara in Henderson County, Kentucky, Jones spent his teenage years in Akron, Ohio, where he began singing country music tunes on a radio show on WJW. In 1931, Jones joined the Pine Ridge String Band, which provided the musical accompaniment for the very popular Lum and Abner show. By 1935 his pursuit of a musical career took him to WBZ (AM) radio in Boston, Massachusetts where he met musician/songwriter Bradley Kincaid, who gave him the nickname "Grandpa" because of his off-stage grumpiness at early-morning radio shows. Jones liked the name and decided to create a stage persona based around it. Later in life, he lived in Mountain View, Arkansas.
Performing as Grandpa Jones, he played the guitar or banjo, yodeled, and sang mostly old-time ballads. By 1937, Jones had made his way to West Virginia, where Cousin Emmy taught Jones the art of the clawhammer style of banjo playing, which gave a rough backwoods flavor to his performances. In 1942, Jones joined WLW in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was there that he met fellow Kentuckian Merle Travis. In 1943, they made their recording debuts together for Syd Nathan's upstart King Records. Jones was making records under his own name for King by 1944 and had his first hit with "It's Raining Here This Morning". His recording career was put on hold when he enlisted in the United States Army during World War II. Discharged in 1946, he recorded again for King. In March 1946, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee and started performing on the Grand Ole Opry and married Ramona Riggins on October 14, 1946. As an accomplished performer herself, she would take part in his performances. Jones' vaudeville humor was a bridge to television. His more famous songs include "T For Texas", "Are You From Dixie", "Night Train To Memphis" and "Mountain Dew". He also wrote "Eight More Miles To Louisville".
In 1969, Jones became a charter cast member on the long-running television show Hee Haw, often responding to the show's skits with his trademark phrase "Outrageous". He also played banjo, by himself or with banjo player David "Stringbean" Akeman. A musical segment featured in the early years had Jones and "his lovely wife Ramona" singing while ringing bells held in their hands and feet. A favorite skit had off-camera cast members ask, "Hey Grandpa, what's for supper?" He would describe a delicious, country-style meal ("Buttermilk biscuits smothered in chicken gravy, home-fried potatoes, collard greens and Grandmother's fresh-baked blueberry pie à la mode!" The cast would reply, "Yum, yum!"), though he sometimes would describe something not so good, ("Because you were bad, thawed out TV dinners!" The cast would scoff, "Yuck!") A running gag was a window that he pretended to polish had no glass. Jones would slip his fingers through the empty frame. He also joined Buck Owens, Roy Clark and Kenny Price in a gospel segment at the end of some shows.
A resident of rural Ridgetop, Tennessee outside of Nashville, he was a neighbor and friend of fellow musician David "Stringbean" Akeman. On the morning of November 11, 1973, Jones discovered the bodies of Akeman and his wife, who had been murdered during the night by robbers. Jones testified at the trial of the killers, his testimony helping to secure a conviction. He identified a firearm found in their possession as one he had given to Akeman.
In 1978, Jones was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. His autobiography, Everybody's Grandpa: Fifty Years Behind The Mike was published in 1984 (written with assistance from Charles K. Wolfe).
In early January 1998, Jones suffered two strokes after his second show performance at the Grand Ole Opry. He died at 7:00 p.m. Central Time on February 19, 1998 at the McKendree village Home Health Center in Hermitage, Tennessee, at age 84. He was buried in the Luton Memorial Methodist Church cemetery in Goodlettsville, Tennessee.
Discography
Grandpa Jones Sings His Greatest Hits (1954)
Country Music Hall of Fame Series (1992) MCA
Grandpa Jones & The Brown's Ferry Four 16 Sacred Gospel Songs, King Records
Grandpa Jones Yodeling Hits (1963) Monument
Grandpa Jones Remembers The Brown's Ferry Four (1966) Monument
Singles
1944 "It's Raining Here This Morning"
1946 "Eight More Miles To Louisville"
1947 "Mountain Dew"
1947 "Old Rattler"
1959 "The All-American Boy"
1962 "T for Texas"
1963 "Night Train To Memphis"
Mule Train
Grandpa Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mule train
Clippity-cloppin' over hill and plain
Seems as how they never stop
Clippity-clop, clippity-clop
Clippity-clippity, clippity-clippity
Clippity-cloppin', along
Mule train
Mule train
Clippity-cloppin' on the mountain chain
Soon they're gonna reach the top
Clippity-clop, clippity-clop
Clippity-clippity, clippity-clippity
Clippity-cloppin', along
There's a plug o' chaw tebaccer for the miner in Corona
A guitar for a cowboy way out in Arizona
A dress o' calico for the pretty Navajo
Get along mule, get along
Mule train
Mule train
Clippity-cloppin' through the wind and rain
A'keep'em goin' 'til they drop
Clippity-clop, clippity-clop
Clippity-clippity, clippity-clippity
Clippity-cloppin', along
There's a cotton thread 'n' needles for the folks way out yonder
A shovel for a miner who left his home to wanderSome rheumatism pills for the settlers in the hills
Get along mule, get along
Clippity-clop, clippity-clop
Clippity-clippity, clippity-clippity
Clippity-cloppin', along
Mule train
Mule train
"Mule Train" is a lively and upbeat song by Grandpa Jones that celebrates the hardworking mules and the important role they played in transportation and delivering goods. The repetitive chorus of "Mule train, Mule train" signifies the constant movement and rhythm of the mules' hooves as they travel through various terrains.
The song begins by describing the mules' journey, clippity-clopping over hills and plains, never seeming to stop. This imagery emphasizes the endurance and perseverance of the mules as they tirelessly carry on. The repetition of "clippity-clop, clippity-clop" further accentuates the sound of the mules' hooves hitting the ground, creating a sense of rhythm and movement.
The second verse highlights the mules' ascent up a mountain chain. Despite the challenging terrain, the song implies that they will eventually reach the top, continuing their clippity-clop journey. This imagery symbolizes resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
The third verse introduces the purpose of the mule train, delivering various items to different people in different places. From a plug of chewing tobacco for a miner in Corona to a guitar for a cowboy in Arizona, and even a dress for a Navajo woman, the mules bring much-needed goods to those in remote regions. This verse showcases the practicality and resourcefulness of utilizing mules for transportation in areas where traditional vehicles may not be practical or accessible.
The final verse mentions specific items such as cotton thread, needles, a shovel, and rheumatism pills that the mules carry for people in distant places. These goods represent the basic necessities and tools required by people in different occupations and situations. The mention of settlers in the hills who could benefit from rheumatism pills also suggests that the mules are serving diverse communities and meeting a variety of needs.
Overall, "Mule Train" is a lively and nostalgic tribute to the hardworking mules and their important role in transporting goods to various people and places. Through its catchy and repetitive lyrics, the song emphasizes the constant movement and endurance of the mule train, while also highlighting the practicality and resourcefulness of using mules for transportation in remote regions.
Line by Line Meaning
Mule train
A group of mules traveling together
Mule train
The repetition of the previous line to emphasize the presence of the mule train
Clippity-cloppin' over hill and plain
The sound of the mules' hooves as they steadily and continuously move across various terrains
Seems as how they never stop
They appear to keep going without any breaks
Clippity-clop, clippity-clop
The rhythmic sound of the mules' hooves
Clippity-clippity, clippity-clippity
A variation of the previous line to maintain the rhythmic pattern
Clippity-cloppin', along
Continuing the steady movement of the mules
Clippity-cloppin' on the mountain chain
The mules' rhythmic movement persists even on challenging mountainous terrain
Soon they're gonna reach the top
They are approaching their destination or goal
There's a plug o' chaw tebaccer for the miner in Corona
A piece of chewing tobacco for the miner in the town of Corona
A guitar for a cowboy way out in Arizona
A musical instrument given to a cowboy residing far away in the state of Arizona
A dress o' calico for the pretty Navajo
A clothing item made of calico fabric for the attractive Navajo woman
Get along mule, get along
Encouraging the mules to continue their journey
Clippity-cloppin' through the wind and rain
The mules persistently trotting even in challenging weather conditions
A'keep'em goin' 'til they drop
Ensuring the mules keep moving until they become physically exhausted
There's a cotton thread 'n' needles for the folks way out yonder
Providing sewing supplies like cotton thread and needles to people residing far away
A shovel for a miner who left his home to wander
Supplying a shovel to a miner who chose a nomadic lifestyle and left his hometown
Some rheumatism pills for the settlers in the hills
Medicine to alleviate rheumatism pain given to settlers living in the hilly regions
Clippity-clop, clippity-clop
The repetitive sound of the mules' hooves
Clippity-clippity, clippity-clippity
An alteration of the previous line to maintain the rhythm
Clippity-cloppin', along
Continuing the steady movement of the mules
Mule train
Referring to the group of mules once again
Mule train
Reiteration of the previous line to emphasize the presence of the mule train
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Fred Glickman, Hy Heath, Johnny Lange
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind