Grampa's Mule ...(2:37)

Writer(s): Lyrics: Lauren LeCroy May, Music: Andy May
Publishing: Swift River Music(BMI)

Contact Swift River Music: office@swiftrivermusic.com
Website: swiftrivermusic.com/mcpeake-may-the-good-things

Grampa had a farmin’ mule
Betsy was her name -
But when she’d up and act a fool
He’d call her Betsy Jane
Tree stumps – Betsy’d pull ‘em
Harrows – Betsy’d drag ‘em
But Betsy Jane would pitch a fit
if you hitched her to a wagon

Betsy wore no bridle-
She followed voice commands
There’s nothing about plowing
She did not understand
She never broke a plowshare
On a buried rock
Before y’knew you’d hit one
Betsy knew - and stopped

Betsy, she would plow all day
in the hot Alabama sun
Turn those furrows neat and straight
until the job was done
Betsy, she had heart and grit
and Betsy had a brain -
Betsy Jane had a wicked wit
could drive you plumb insane

Smarter than the horses
And the hounds - ‘bout double
Too darn smart for her own good
And good at causin’ trouble
“She ain’t exactly orn’ry,”
Grampa liked to say
“It’s just that she knows her mind
And likes to get her way.”

Not a soul could shoe her -
She’d dance such a dance -
She’d kick y’clear to Kingdom Come
If y’gave her half a chance
If Betsy Jane was vexin’,
Betsy was a friend
The only one on Grampa’s farm
That worked as hard as him

Betsy, she would plow all day
in the hot Alabama sun
Turn those furrows neat and straight
until the job was done
Betsy worked in sunshine
Betsy worked in rain
Betsy, she worked barefoot
on account of Betsy Jane

Grampa told how Betsy Jane
Could open any gate
She'd get a glint in her dark eye
And make good her escape
She’d get out of the barnyard
She’d get into the grain
And when she had a mind to
She’d take off down the lane

All the neighbors knew her
And bitterly complained
Of the havoc in their gardens wreaked
By the wayward Betsy Jane
She’d make Grampa’s blood boil
And she’d make him grin -
Seven times he sold that mule…
Then bought her back again

‘Cause Betsy, she would plow all day
in the hot Alabama sun
Turn those furrows neat and straight
until the job was done
Betsy was a workin’ girl -
honest, smart and tough -
But Betsy Jane could make
a Southern preacher want to cuss