The Erie Canal was America’s first “Super Highway” running from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. Construction began in 1817 and was completed in 1825. It ran 363 miles and created great wealth for New York City. Eventually railroads replaced it for commercial use. It still exists partially as a recreational waterway.
About the song from Wikipedia:
Capo on 1st fret.
[Em] I’ve got an old [Bm] mule, and [G] her name is [Am] Sal, [Em] Fifteen years on the [D] Erie [Em] Canal
[Em] She’s a good old [Bm] worker and a [G] good old [Am] pal, [Em] Fifteen years on the [D] Erie [Em] Canal
[G] We’ve hauled some barges in [D] our day, [C] filled with lumber, [B7] coal and hay.
[Em] And every [Bm] inch of the [G] way I [Am] know, [Em] From Albany to [D] Buff [Em] alo
[G] Low bridge, [D] everybody down, [G] Low bridge, [D] cause we’re coming to a town.
[Em] You can always [Bm] tell your neighbor; [G] you can always tell your [Am] pal.
[Em] If he’s ever navigated on the [D] Erie [Em] Canal
We’d better look ’round for a job old gal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
You bet your life I wouldn’t part with Sal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
Giddyap there gal we’ve passed that lock, we’ll make Rome ‘fore six o-clock
So one more trip and then we’ll go, Right straight back to Buffalo
Low bridge, everybody down, Low bridge, I’ve got the finest mule in town
Once a man named Mike McGinty tried to put it over Sal
Now he’s way down at the bottom of the Erie Canal
Oh, where would I be if I lost my pal? Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
Oh, I’d like to see a mule as good as Sal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
A friend of mine once got her sore, Now, he’s got a broken jaw.
Cause she let fly with her iron toe and kicked him into Buffalo.
Low bridge, everybody down, Low bridge, I’ve got the finest mule in town.
If you’re looking ’round for trouble, better stay away from Sal.
She’s the only fighting donkey on the Erie Canal
I don’t have to call when I want my Sal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
She trots from her stall like a good old gal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
I eat my meals with Sal each day, I eat beef and she eat hay.
She isn’t so slow if you want to know, she put the “Buff” in Buffalo
Chorus: Low bridge, everybody down, Low bridge, I’ve got the finest mule in town
Eats a bale of hay for dinner, and on top of that, my Sal.
Tries to drink up all the water in the Erie Canal
You’ll soon hear them sing everything about my gal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
It’s a darned fool ditty ’bout my darned fool Sal, Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
Oh, every band will play it soon, Darned fool words and darned fool tune!
You’ll hear it sung everywhere you go, from Mexico to Buffalo
Low bridge, everybody down, Low bridge, I’ve got the finest mule in town.
She’s a perfect, perfect lady, and she blushes like a gal.
If she hears you sing about her and the Erie Canal.