There are plenty of versions that make it "And every inch of the way we know" or "And w'know ev'ry inch of the way we go", but anything that doesn't rhyme is wrong, and Pete Seeger be damned. Sorry, I've been fighting about this since elementary school. Should these lyrics be edited into the article? FroggyNathan ( talk) 20:40, 22 December 2009 (UTC) Those lyrics and the music are contained on these pages: Reprinted by special permission of the copyright owners." (I read elsewhere that they got his first name wrong, it is Thomas as indicated currently.) That phrase implies that these may have been the original copyrighted lyrics. Under these lyrics it says "Words and music by William S. Those lyrics were from American Ballads & Folk Songs, first published in 1934.If she hears you sing about her and the Erie Canal. She's a perfect, perfect lady, and she blushes like a gal It's a darned fine ditty 'bout my darn fool Sal, You'll soon hear them sing all about my gal, Tries to drink up all the water in the Erie Canal. She trots from the stall like a good old gal,Įats a bale of hay for dinner, and on top of that my Sal She's the only fighting donkey on the Erie Canal. If you're looking for trouble, better stay away, Oh, I'd like to see a mule as good as Sal, Now he's way down at the bottom of the Erie Canal. Once a man named Mike McGintey tried to put over Sal, Low bridge, I've got the finest mule in town. Giddap there, Gal, we've passed that lock, You bet your life I wouldn't part with Sal, We'd better look around for a job, Old Gal, If you've ever navigated on the Erie Canal. You can always tell your neighbor, you can always tell your pal, She's a good old worker and a good old pal, I've got an old mule and her name is Sal, I believe the original lyrics are the following, due to a rather old recording and a 1920's song book containing them:.If anyone has the original, maybe it should be given first position in the article, followed by any additional verses added by later musicians as part of the folk music process. Folk songs often have new verses added over time, and I think all verses in widespread use should be included here. I posted what appeared to be the consensus text based on a web search. Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.34.38.148 ( talk) 15:14, 23 January 2008 (UTC) Unfortunately I don't have a copy of the original 1905 text. Is there a source that justifies the lyrics as quoted here? These lyrics differ from the lyrics at either of the two external sources referenced.It is a useful cultural component for school lessons on the Erie Canal. It links with a channel for "opening to the West" [The Mid-West. Enthusiastic keep vote: This song is of high significance.in the article unless you are certain they are in the public domain." Also, WP:NOT states that ".the article may not consist solely of the lyrics, but has to primarily contain information about authorship, date of publication, social impact, etc." This article complies with both of those policies. WP:SONG says: "Do not include the song's entire lyrics. Furthermore, lyrics in the public domain are clearly permissible under Wikipedia policy and guidelines. danntm T C 16:29, 24 December 2006 (UTC) I respectfully disagree, because the most important goal of an encyclopedia is to provide comprehensive information on notable subjects, not to maintain consistency across all song articles. However, the lyrics may certainly be included in wikisource. My main concern was that wikipedia is not a collection of primary source material, and to main consistency with other song articles that do not include the lyrics. They're short, they're more useful than burdensome, and text is cheap. I think that the lyrics should be included in the article because they help to identify the song. See Cornell chart of copyright durations. By contrast, Springsteen's recording of the song will be protected by copyright for at least the next 70 years. before 1923 are now in the public domain. Because the song was written in 1905, the copyright has expired.I would like any input, advice anyone could provide. As a further note, WP:SONG recommends against posting lyrics unless we are certain that the song lyrics are in the public domain.The page included the lyrics to "Low Bridge." I think the lyrics should be removed because as per Wikipedia is not an indiscriminate collection of information.