Molly be damned smote Jimmy the Harp
With a horrid little pistol and a lariat
Goin' to the bottom, goin' down the drain
Said she wasn't big enough to carry it

She got to get behind the Mule
In the morning and plow
She got to get behind the Mule
In the morning and plow
She got to get behind the Mule
In the morning and plow
She got to get behind the Mule
In the morning and plow

Choppity chop goes the axe in the woods
You gotta meet me by the fall down tree
Shovel of dirt upon a coffin lid
And I know they'll come lookin for me boys
And I know they'll come a-lookin for me

You got to get behind the Mule
In the morning and plow
You got to get behind the Mule
In the morning and plow
Get behind the Mule
In the morning and plow
You got to get behind the Mule
In the morning and plow

Big Jack Earl was 8'1
He stood in the road and he cried
He couldn't make her love him
Couldn't make her stay
But tell the good Lord that he tried
Now, tell the good Lord that he tried

(Chorus)

Dusty trail from Atchison to Placerville
On the wreck of the Weaverville stage
Beaula fired on Beatty for a lemonade
I was stirring my brandy with a nail boys
Stirring my brandy with a nail

(Chorus)

Punctuated birds on the power line
In a Studebaker with the Birdie Joe Joaks
I'm diggin' all the way to China with a silver spoon
While the hangman fumbles with the noose, boys
The hangman fumbles with the noose

(Chorus)