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The popular song "Fifteen Years on the Erie Canal" was written in 1905 by Thomas S. Allen after Erie Canal barge traffic was converted from mule power to engine power, raising the speed of traffic. The tune is sadly nostalgic. Also known as "Low Bridge, Everybody Down," "The Erie Canal Song," "Mule Named Sal," and "Fifteen Miles on the Erie Canal," the song memorializes the years from 1825 to 1880 when the mule barges made boomtowns out of Utica, Rome, Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo, and transformed New York into the Empire State. The music cover (right) published in 1915 depicts a boy on a mule getting down to pass under a bridge, but the song refers to travelers who would typically ride on top of the boats. The low bridges would require them to get down out of the way to allow safe passage under a bridge.〔http://www.eriecanalsong.com/〕 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 Veggie Tales, 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 ''Animaniacs'' 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. == Traditional lyrics == Low Bridge 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 I (we) know From Albany to Buffalo ''Chorus:'' Low bridge, everybody down Low bridge cause 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 Get up there Sal, we've passed that lock, Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal And we'll make Rome before six o'clock Fifteen years on the Erie Canal One more trip and back we'll go Through the rain and sleet and snow And every inch of the way I (we) know From Albany to Buffalo 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. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア(Wikipedia)』 ■ウィキペディアで「Low Bridge (song)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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