Mule Train
Tennessee Ernie Ford Lyrics


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Mule train
(Giddyup, pah, giddahh)
(Heah)
Mule train
(Yee-ha)

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
(Eee, heahy-ah)
Mule train
(Weuh)

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
(Gidda-ah)
Mule train
(Yeuh)

Clippity-cloppin' through the wind and rain
A-keep 'em goin' till they drop
Clippity-clop, clippity-clop
Clippity-clippity, clippity-clippity
Clippity-cloppin' along

There's cotton thread 'n' needles for the folks 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

Clippity-clop, clippity-clop
Clippity-clippity, clippity-clippity
Clippity-cloppin' along

Mule train




(I'll skin you, yeah)
Mule train

Overall Meaning

The song "Mule Train" by Tennessee Ernie Ford is a classic country song that is about a train of mules carrying supplies across the country. It starts with the sound of mules braying and then the lyrics describe how the mules are clippity-cloppin' over hill and plain, through the wind and rain. The song describes how the mules are carrying supplies to different parts of the country, such as a plug of chaw tobacco for the miner in Corona, a guitar for a cowboy in Arizona or cotton thread and needles for folks way out yonder. The song celebrates the hard work and perseverance of the mules who are getting the job done, no matter the obstacles they face.


The lyrics of the song are a metaphor for life, where we all have to keep moving forward, no matter how hard the journey may be. It is about the work ethic and resilience that is needed to keep going in life. The song is also a tribute to the pioneers and settlers who helped to build America, and the role that mules played in their lives.


Line by Line Meaning

Clippity-cloppin' over hill and plain
The mule train is moving on its journey through various terrains, from hills to plains


Seems as how they never stop
The mule train seems to have boundless energy and never stops moving


Clippity-clop, clippity-clop
The sound of the mules' hooves hitting the ground in a rhythmic manner


Clippity-clippity, clippity-clippity
A variation of the sound of the mules' hooves striking the ground


Clippity-cloppin' along
Continuing on their journey with their distinct sound


Clippity-cloppin' on the mountain chain
The mule train is traveling over a mountain range


Soon they're gonna reach the top
The train of mules is steadily trudging up the mountain and will soon reach its peak


There's a plug o' chaw tebaccer for the miner in Corona
The mule train is carrying supplies for people in various locations, including tobacco for a miner in Corona


A guitar for a cowboy way out in Arizona
The mule train is carrying supplies such as a guitar for a cowboy in Arizona


A dress o' calico for the pretty Navajo
The mule train is carrying supplies such as a dress made of calico for a pretty Navajo


Clippity-cloppin' through the wind and rain
The train of mules is continuing to move forward through difficult weather conditions


A-keep 'em goin' till they drop
The mules are being urged to keep going despite the difficulty they face, until they can no longer continue


There's cotton thread 'n' needles for the folks way out yonder
The mule train is carrying supplies such as cotton thread and needles for the folks in far-off places


A shovel for a miner who left his home to wander
The mule train is carrying supplies such as a shovel for a miner who left home to go on a journey


Some rheumatism pills for the settlers in the hills
The mule train has supplies such as rheumatism pills for settlers living in hilly regions


Clippity-clop, clippity-clop
A repetition of the rhythmic sound of the mules' hooves on the ground


Mule train
The overall theme of the song, which talks about a train of mules




Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Fred Glickman, Hy Heath, Johnny Lange

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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