Califiddler - Posted - 07/14/2011:  10:13:34

I’m doing this a day early because I have the time in my schedule right now.

The TOTW this week is the song known as “Whoa Mule” or “Kicking Mule”.

I believe that I first heard this song on Art Rosenbaum’s “Art of the Mountain Banjo” – on vinyl, of course, although I now have it on CD as well.  Art uses it to demonstrate the 4 basic styles of old-time banjo: up-picking (Seeger style), downpicking (clawhammer), 2-finger picking and 3-finger picking.

I don’t have a way to link to Art’s version, but if someone else can link it that would be great.

On banjo, it’s usually played in the key of C and in C standard tuning: gCGBD.  That’s where Art plays it.  I play it in the same key and tuning, pure bum-ditty.

Some versions, like Art’s, have just the I and V chords.  Some add the IV chord.

This version, from Tom Paley and Peggy Seeger, sticks to the I and V chords:

youtube.com/watch?v=JBwcpvuMRdo

This version, from the Andy Griffith Show, is in G, includes the IV chord (C), and features the Kentucky Colonels, then known as the Country Boys:

youtube.com/watch?v=RpKhWePGNPc

There used to be a video on youtube from Merlefest, with Doc Watson playing it on banjo with some other folks, but I can’t find it now. 

Here is more information on the song than you would ever want to know:

bluegrassmessengers.com/johnso...rfriendly

I love this song for the powerful simplicity, and also for the hilarious lyrics.  I love the line “the more I asked her to marry me, the harder she did (sc)rub”.  Cracks me up every time I sing it.

I like to torture my kids by asking them if this is the greatest song ever.  They usually respond that it’s the worst song ever.  It may not be the best, but it sure is great.  Hope you enjoy it. 

RatLer - Posted - 07/14/2011:  12:19:03

..."Never marry an old man, tell you the reason why......his lips are all tobaccer stained and he never zips his fly".....

Yep, no doubt...one of the greatest..........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

picKen - Posted - 07/14/2011:  15:32:08

Yep, fun tune for sure!  I'm familiar with the Andy Griffith version.  Ratler (see above) has a great version in the jukebox as well.  Check it out.

TOTW - Posted - 07/15/2011:  15:33:40

J.E. Mainer & the Mountaineers - youtube.com/watch?v=wvRvEiDqpqg

Mainer Band - youtube.com/watch?v=l1FA1EfQqV4

Alan Lomax, Peggy Seeger, Guy Carawan, John Cole & Sammy Stokes - youtube.com/watch?v=01etfeOZEBU

Butch Cage & Willie B. Thomas - youtube.com/watch?v=Bi_zdyMS4_o

Camp Creek Boys - youtube.com/watch?v=cK9k2jWMceM

Chubby Parker - youtube.com/watch?v=KpjCsqfMjA4

Al Clauser - youtube.com/watch?v=jayJhE-QM1U

Hobbie Whitener - youtube.com/watch?v=useN9ZF2_GU

Adam Tanner & Franke Lee - youtube.com/watch?v=d0QB9xSJFI4

Art Rosenbaum - youtube.com/watch?v=tJXFkd263Qo

Arthur Tanner - youtube.com/watch?v=y4D2wudvryY

Clarence Ashley & Tex Isley - youtube.com/watch?v=rxOt1FQ98hY

Clint Howard, Fred Price & their sons - youtube.com/watch?v=r57Ttbi1rHs

Grandpa Jones - youtube.com/watch?v=urWhcLI9P4g

Lee Sexton - youtube.com/watch?v=1xw7J2ixkGA

The Hill Billies - youtube.com/watch?v=mvjrm-l1u-Q & youtube.com/watch?v=YemRs1AUPHM

The Skillet Lickers - youtube.com/watch?v=oLm2nQeec_Q

Tom Ashley - youtube.com/watch?v=qAuAR5Cbi0I

Uncle Dave Macon - youtube.com/watch?v=Ho3r3zofvZA

Walter Hensley - youtube.com/watch?v=6KxqNynebsg

Yadkin County Ramblers - youtube.com/watch?v=_OrFUxitTCQ

 

SWCooper - Posted - 07/15/2011:  15:59:19

Ha! I was pecking around with this tune today. I used to love this song until Raymond Fairchild's hotdog performance intimidated the bejesus out of me.  Funny -- meaning no disrespect to an amazing skill -- but I don't even much like his version.

majikgator - Posted - 07/16/2011:  09:12:07

Hard song not to like