The Erie Canal

Traditional Song

1. I got an old mule and her name is Sal.
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal.
She's a good old worker and a good old pal.
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal.

We've hauled some barges in our day,
Filled with lumber, coal and hay
And every inch of the way we know
From Albany to Buffalo.

(Chorus)
Low bridge! Every body down!
Low bridge, for we're coming to a town.
And you'll always know your neighbor
And you'll always know your pal
If you've ever navigated on the Erie Canal.

2. We'd better look around for a job, old gal.
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal.
You bet your life I wouldn't part with Sal.
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal.

Giddap there, gal, we've passed that lock,
We'll make Rome 'fore six o'clock.
So it's one more trip and then we'll go
Right back home to Buffalo.

(Chorus)
Low bridge! Every body down!
Low bridge! I've got the finest mule in town.
Once a man named Mike Poukeepsie tried to put one over Sal
Now he's way down at the bottom of the Erie Canal.

3. Oh, where would I be if I lost my pal?
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal.
Oh, I'd like to see a mule as good as Sal.
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal.

A friend of mine once got her sore.
Now he's got a busted jaw
'cause she let fly with iron toe
And kicked him back to Buffalo.

(Chorus)
Low bridge, every body down.
Low bridge, for we're coming to a town.
And you'll always know your neighbor
And you'll always know your pal
If you've ever navigated on the Erie Canal.

4. I don't have to call when I want my Sal.
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal.
She trots from her stall like a good old gal.
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal.

I eat my meals with Sal each day.
I eat beef and she eats hay.
And she ain't slow if you want to know.
She put the "buff" in Buffalo.

(Chorus)
Low bridge, every body down.
Low bridge, for we're coming to a town.
And you'll always know your neighbor
And you'll always know your pal
If you've ever navigated on the Erie Canal.