I'm looking for a poem my mother used to recite. It was about a donkey and a swift kick. That's all we can remember. My mother passed away at 88 last year and my oldest sister has an urge to memorize this poem. If you could help we'd appreciate it. Thank you.

My sister just remembered another part: and oh, how that donkey could kick.

Another sister remembered more: It wasn't a donkey- it was a mule.
It starts: There was an old mule..
and ends something like: Just the thing to have around to tame your mother-in-law.
And ideas?

I Know an Old Canaller

I know an old canaller, his name is Simon Slick
He had a mule with dreamy eyes, Lord how that mule could kick
He'd wink his eyes, he'd wag his tail and greet you with a smile
He'd gently telegraph his leg and send you half a mile

Whoa, mule, whoa. Why don't you hear them holler
Tie a knot right in his tail so he don't slip through his collar
Why don't they put him on a track, why don't they let him go
And every time he comes around, shout whoa, mule, whoa

Now this mule he was a daisy, he pulverized a hog
Dissected seven Chinamen, and he kicked a yellow dog
He'd kick as quick as lightning, and he had an iron jaw
He's just the mule to have around to tame your mother in law

Whoa, mule, whoa. I'm done with you forever.
You ain't no good, you never was, and you never will be neither
You're going to die and take a trip to that hot place below
Old Satan see you coming in, he'll yell, whoa, mule whoa
...
if that is the one, here is the partiture for it :

[sniff.numachi.com]

That sounds like the one I'm looking for. I'll ask my sister tomorrow. Thank you so much.

Partiture, huh? Thanks. That word (musical score?) is a new one for me. Prolly everyone who speaks Portuguese knows it, sure.

sheet !!!!

Hugh, I've never heard the word used by any Portuguese speaking person, my mom was one, except Ilza. Methinks you over generalize.

Les



Post Edited (08-25-04 14:32)

but Hugh is right, you now ...
music sheet is partitura in Brazilian portuguese

maybe it was my Italian piano teacher ( who must be dead by now)
who haunted me today to post that word ...

Tower of Babel is too familiar to me ...

double oops ...

I guess this song describes the Erie Canal which links Lake Erie to the Hudson River.

Boats were generally pulled by a team of two mules, led or driven by the mule skinner.

My grandfather used to recite this to me and it was very similar ( I'm sure
he couldn"t remember it exactly) but it had more verses. The mule kicked a boarding house in two which caught on fire. Does anyone know anything
about the rest of the verses?? The mule dies by getting his back feet down
his throat. i haven't heard it for years. THanks to all of you who have
tried to help. fang

I memorized this poem with my oldest son when he was in the third grade, but I think I have now forgotten the second verse. Below is what I remember.

Title: Little Danny Donkey

Verse 1 I hate to talk about it cause it's sad enough for tears, but little Danny donkey doesn't like to wash his ears. At breadfast every morning Danny's mother sent him back to do his washing over for his ears were very black.

Verse 3 They say he's doing better now and, oh, I hope it's true. I'd hate to be so careless and so lazy wouldn't you?

Little Danny Donkey"



Little Danny Donkey,

didn't like to wash his ears.

At breakfast every morning,

Danny's mother sent him back.

To do his washing over,

'cause his ears were very black.

They say he's doing better now,

and, Oh I hope it's true.

I'd hate to be so lazy,

and so careless, wouldn't you?




this was all i could find- hope that helps you - penny

I too had forgotten the poem and was glad to see it. The only part I could remember was "Little Danny Donkey didn't like to wash his ears". My sister used to say it to me when I was a little girl. She is gone now but when I think of her I also think of the poem and wished I had the words. I did enjoy reading it again from this website.
Thanks for sharing.

June 23,2022

Surely Danny Donkey has 2 lines missing between the end of the second line and the beginning of the third. Anyone know what they are?