Mule Train
The Muleskinners Lyrics
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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 CoronaA 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)
"Mule Train" is a classic country song from the 1950s, originally performed by Frankie Laine and later covered by The Muleskinners. The song paints a picture of a mule train, carrying goods and supplies across the American West. The constant "clippety clop" of the mules' hooves creates a rhythmic backdrop for the song's lyrics.
The verses describe the various items being carried by the mules: tobacco for a rancher in Corona, a guitar for a cowboy in Arizona, a dress for a Navajo woman, cotton thread and needles for people in remote areas, and so on. The song's chorus repeats the phrase "mule train," emphasizing the endless movement of the animals as they travel across mountains, through wind and rain, until they can go no further. The final verse mentions a letter of sadness, a pair of custom-made boots, and a Bible for a preacher.
Line by Line Meaning
Mule train!
A group of mules being led to transport goods.
Clippety cloppin' over hill and plain
The sound of the mules' hooves as they walk through various terrains.
Seems as how they'll never stop, clippety clop, clippety clop
The mules' journey seems never-ending, with constant movement.
Clippety, clippety, clippety, clippety, clippety cloppin' along
Repetition of the hooves' sound, emphasizing the never-ending journey.
There's a plug of chewy tobacky for a rancher in Corona
Some of the goods being transported include tobacco for a rancher in Corona.
A guitar for a cowboy way out in Arizona
A cowboy in Arizona is receiving a guitar as part of the goods being transported.
A dress of calico for a pretty Navajo
One of the goods being transported is a calico dress for a Navajo woman.
Get along, mule! Get along
Encouragement for the mules to continue on their journey.
Clippety cloppin' along the mountain chain
The mules are now walking through a mountain range.
Soon they're gonna reach the top, clippety clop, clippety clop
The mules are almost at the top of the mountain.
There's some cotton thread and needles for the folks in way-out-yonder
Part of the goods being transported includes cotton thread and needles for people living far away.
A shovel for a miner who left his home to wander
One of the goods being carried is a shovel for a miner who moved away from his home.
Some rheumatism pills for the settlers in the hills
The goods also include medicine for rheumatism for settlers in the hills.
Clippety cloppin' through the wind and rain
The mules are now walking in harsh weather conditions.
They'll keep goin' 'til they drop, clippety clop, clippety clop
The mules will continue walking until they physically can't go any further.
There's a letter full of sadness and it's black around the border
One of the goods being transported is a sorrowful letter with a black border.
A pair of boots for someone who had them made to order
A person is receiving a pair of boots that were custom-made just for them.
A Bible in the pack for the Reverend Mr. Black
Part of the goods being carried includes a Bible for Reverend Mr. Black.
Get along, mule! Get along
Encouragement for the mules to continue on their journey.
Get along, mule, get along! (mule train)
Reiteration of the previous encouragement, ending the song.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Fred Glickman, Hy Heath, Johnny Lange
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