*In Folklorist Harry Smith’s House-"I Wish I Was a Mole In the Ground" — Bascom Lamar Lunsford (1928)

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The year 2009 has turned into something a year of review of the folk revival of the 1960s. In November I featured a posting of many of the episodes (via “YouTube”) of Pete Seeger’s classic folk television show from the 1960s, “Rainbow Quest”. I propose to do the same here to end out the year with as many of the selections from Harry Smith’s seminal “Anthology Of American Folk Music,” in one place, as I was able to find material for, either lyrics or "YouTube" performances (not necessarily by the original performer). This is down at the roots, for sure.


Digital Tradition Mirror

I Wish I Was a Mole in the Ground

(This score available as ABC, SongWright, PostScript, PNG, or PMW, or a MIDI file)
Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available


I Wish I Was a Mole in the Ground

I wish l was a mole in the ground.
Yes, I wish I was a mole in the ground:
'F I'se a mole in the ground, l'd root that mountain down,
And I wish I was a mole in the ground.

Oh, Kimpy wants a nine-dollar shawl.
Yes, Kimpy wants a nine-dollar shawl;
When I come o'er the hill with a forty-dollar bill,
'Tis "Baby, where you been so Iong?"

I been in the pen so long.
Yes, I been in the pen so long;
l been in the pen with the rough and rowdy men.
'Tis "Baby, where you been so long?"

I don't like a railroad man.
No, l don't like a railroad man;
'Cause a railroad man they'll kill you when he can,
And drink up your blood like wine.

I wish I was a lizard in the spring.
Ycs, l wish I was a l;zard in the spring;
'F I'se a lizard in the spring, I'd hear my darlin' sing,
An' I wish l was a lizard in the spring.

Come, Kimpy, let your hair roll down.
Kimpy let your hair roll down;
Let your hair roll down and your bangs curl around,
Oh, Kimpy, let your hair roll down.

l wish I was a mole in the ground.
Yes, I wish I was a mole in the ground:
'F I'se a mole in the ground, I'd root that mountain down,
An'I wish I was a mole in the ground.

From Bascom Lamar Lunceford.
RG

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!