Erie Canal

assessments, book, folk song / traditional, visuals

Info

Before the railroads were built, the Erie Canal served as an important waterway for moving merchandise and products between the Great Lakes (U.S.) and the Atlantic Ocean. (source: Sandburg)

Lyrics

(American folk song)

I’ve got an old mule and her name is Sal
Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
She’s a good old worker and a good old pal
Fifteen years 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

Refrain
Low bridge, everybody 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

Git up there, Sal, we’ve passed that lock,
Fifteen…
And we’ll make Rome ‘fore six o’clock,
Fifteen…
Just one more trip then back we’ll go,
Through the rain and sleet and slow
And every inch of the way we know
From Albany to Buffalo. Refrain