"Low Bridge, Everybody Down" is a folk song credited to Thomas S. Allen (although its origin and authorship remain in question[1]), first recorded in 1912,[2] and published by F.B.
[3] It was written after the construction of the New York State Barge Canal, which would replace the Erie Canal, was well underway, furthering the change from mule power to engine power, raising the speed of traffic.
The music cover published in 1913 depicts a boy on a mule getting down to pass under a bridge, but the reference to "low bridge" in the song refers to travelers who would typically ride on top of the boats.
[4] Early 20th-century recordings of the song include ones by Billy Murray, Vernon Dalhart, and Jack Nerz.
The song has become part of the folk repertoire, recorded by folksingers like Glenn Yarborough, Pete Seeger and the Weavers, The Kingston Trio, the children's series VeggieTales, and artists like the Sons of the Pioneers.
Dan Zanes included it on a children's album with Suzanne Vega singing lead.
Bruce Springsteen recorded the song on his 2006 album We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions.
The cartoon series Animanics parodied "Low Bridge" with their song about the Panama Canal.
The lyrics are also the text of the book The Erie Canal (1970), illustrated by Peter Spier.
These are the lyrics as they were originally published by Thomas Allen in 1913: 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.
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
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.
Allen's original version commemorates 15 years of working along the canal with Sal.
Dave Ruch's research on this change has been documented in an extensive article.
The original refers to how mules would rest while waiting for barges to lock through, and then need to be instructed when to start again.
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal You can bet your life I'll never part with Sal.