Today, Jim Sundquist, Jim Chuesberg and a revolving group of friends still play 52 weekends a year under the Fendermen moniker, delighting crowds with their effortless recapturing of the original Fendermen spirit, and the sounds of classic country and rock-a-billy. (from Fendermen's website http://www.fendermen.com/)
Mule Skinner Blues
The Fendermen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, good morning to you.
Do you need another mule skinner
Down on your new mud run?
Ha, ha, hip, ee, ee
Well, I'm an old mule skinner,
From down Kentucky way,
Or I won't accept your pay.
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha,
Hee, hee, hee, hee, hee, ha, ha,
Well hey, hey.
Little water boy, come here boy,
Bring that water bucket around
Ha, ha, ha,
If you don't like your job
Water boy, put that bucket down
Ha, ha, ha, ee, ee, ha, ha, ha
Well, I'm an old mule skinner,
From down Kentucky way,
And I can make any mule listen,
Or I won't accept your pay.
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha,
Hee, hee, hee, hee, hee, ha, ha,
Well hey, hey.
The Fendermen's song "Mule Skinner Blues" is a classic country-blues song that has been covered by many artists over the years. The lyrics are sung from the perspective of an old mule skinner named Kentucky who is looking for work. The song begins with him greeting the captain and offering his services, asking if he needs another mule skinner. He then boasts about his abilities to make any mule listen to him or he won't accept payment. The chorus is filled with his infectious laughter, a reminder of the joy and humor that can be found in the tough job of a mule skinner.
The song also includes a little water boy who is tasked with bringing water to the mules on the job. Kentucky playfully warns the water boy that if he doesn't like his job, he should just put the bucket down. The song closes with another repetition of the chorus, with Kentucky once again proclaiming his skills as a mule skinner.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, good morning, Captain!
Greetings, Captain.
Well, good morning to you.
Greetings to you too.
Do you need another mule skinner
Down on your new mud run?
Are you in need of another mule driver for your new site?
Ha, ha, hip, ee, ee
(laughing and making strange sounds)
Well, I'm an old mule skinner,
From down Kentucky way,
And I can make any mule listen,
Or I won't accept your pay.
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha,
Hee, hee, hee, hee, hee, ha, ha,
Well hey, hey.
I am an experienced mule driver from Kentucky and I have the ability to train any mule to listen attentively, or I won't accept payment. (Laughing)
Little water boy, come here boy,
Bring that water bucket around
Ha, ha, ha,
If you don't like your job
Water boy, put that bucket down
Ha, ha, ha, ee, ee, ha, ha, ha
Hey water boy, come here and bring me some water. (Laughing) If you don't enjoy your work, you shouldn't continue doing it. (Laughing and making strange sounds)
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Jimmie Rodgers, George Vaughn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Mule Skinner Blues
Good mornin', capitan
Good mornin' to you
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha
Do you need another mule skinner
Down on your new mud run?
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha
Hey, hey, hey, hee, hee
Hee, he, he, he, hee
He, he, he, he, he, he, he, he, hee
Well, I'm an old mule skinner
(Yeah, you are)
Down from old Kentucky boy
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
And I can make any mule listen
Or I won't except your pay, he, hee
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey, hee, he, hee
Hee, he, hee, hee, hee
Hee, he, he, he, he, he, he
He, he, he, he, he, he, he, he
Well, hey
(Hey)
Little water boy
(Where's that water boy, man?)
Bring the bu, bu, bucket down
Whaa, whaa, haa, haa, ha, haa, haa, haa
And if you don't like your job
Then put that bu, bucket down
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha
Hey, hey, hey, hee, hee
Hee, he, he, he, hee
He, he, he, he, he, he, he, he, hee
Cha, cha, cha
Melissa Hamby-Ward
This song brings a tear and brings my late Father to mind. Over the years it became known as "The Laughing Song". Daddy incorporated his own silly, crazy laughter into the song. Every child, grandchild, niece and nephew would BEG "Grandpa Ed: to play the laughing song anytime he was playing his guitar. I NEVER remember a day when my Daddy didn't have his guitar in his hands. So, the song was played daily. 🎸 I am so happy to have those memories. RIP Grandpa Ed
Solo Harmonics (Rob J)
One of my favorite oddball classics of all time. This played in my house often when I was growing up.
TheRecordNut
Raw, pure Rockabilly goodness, all accomplished with just two talented performers, two models of Fenders, and one amp
Midnight Starr
Played this when I was 10 . Been looking for it since then and could never remember the name of song. Just words waterboy in the song with lots of cool sound effects. I'm 53 now. Took me this long to be reunited with this timeless classic! I've been looking and haven't ever come close to the song I've played over and over in the 70s. Thank you Google!!!! Wow after all these years I finally have it again!!!
Christian
@Midnight Starr my dad made a casette tape of novelty oldies and this was one of them. It wasn't until I watched Ken Burns' Country Music documentary that I realized that Jimmie Rodgers wrote this, and many artists, including the Fendermen and Dolly Parton, have since covered it.
John Slomski
These guys are insanely good!
Not many cats can sing and yodel like that!!
Blackgeoff1
I get cats singing outside our bedroom window sometimes, but they don't yodel... and they don't play Fenders either; they just sit on 'em and sound like they're hangin' out for a bit of action ...
Linda Easley
Most unique version of this song and that's what makes it stand out as the best
JohnLeePedimore
If you want a real treat these guys did a live recoding of this about 14 years ago. It was the first time they'd played it in 45 years. It's perfect. The channel is Madhousemusic.
Razor
I got to hear Jim Sundquist sing this at a rockabilly show in Chicago in the nineties.