Why does the song say 15 miles on the Erie Canal?
Allen’s original version commemorates 15 years of working along the canal with Sal. The new version using the word miles refers to the average distance a mule would tow a barge before resting or being relieved by another mule.
What is the song Erie Canal?
Thomas Allen wrote a song about the famous Erie Canal in 1905 titled, “Low Bridge, Everybody Down,” also known as “The Erie Canal Song.” This humorous, yet accurate tune reminded others just how much the Erie Canal shaped and improved people’s lives during its first eighty years.
Who sang the Erie Canal song?
Seven Years
Low Bridge, Everybody Down (or Fifteen Years on the Erie Canal)/Artists
Who wrote Erie Canal song?
Thomas S. Allen
Low Bridge, Everybody Down (or Fifteen Years on the Erie Canal)/Composers
How many years did it take to complete the Erie Canal?
8 years
The canal was completed in only 8 years at a cost of $7,000,000. When completed on October 26, 1825, DeWitt Clinton (by then Governor of New York) boarded a vessel, the Seneca Chief, in Buffalo and headed to New York City.
What does the song Low Bridge reveal about life along the Erie Canal?
Allen. The Erie Canal Song, as it is commonly known by today, was written in 1905 under the title Low Bridge, Everybody Down about life on the Erie Canal. The Erie Canal Song was written to commemorate the history of nearly 100 years of life along the Erie Canal.
Why were mules used on the Erie Canal?
Many of these boats were pulled by horses. They traveled about 80 miles in 24 hours. LINE BOATS hauled freight and usually traveled about 2 miles per hour. Mules were used to pull these boats because they did not scare easily and would not drink contaminated water.
How long did it take to go through the Erie Canal?
The Erie Canal was the first fast and cheap route through the Appalachian Mountains. Before the canal was built it took 15 to 45 days to travel from Albany to Buffalo by wagon and cargo cost about $125 a ton. After the canal was built, it took about 9 days at a cost of $6 a ton.
How long did it take to dig the Erie Canal?
The canal was completed in only 8 years at a cost of $7,000,000. When completed on October 26, 1825, DeWitt Clinton (by then Governor of New York) boarded a vessel, the Seneca Chief, in Buffalo and headed to New York City.
What was the chorus to the Erie Canal song?
Chorus: Low bridge, everybody down Low bridge for we’re coming to a town And you’ll always know your neighbor And you’ll always know your pal If you’ve ever navigated on the Erie Canal We’d better look ’round for a job old gal Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal ‘Cause you bet your life I’d never part…
What was the name of the mule on the Erie Canal?
In addition to the The Erie Canal Song and Low Bridge, Everybody Down titles, the song has also been referred to by the following names over the years: Fifteen Years on the Erie Canal, Mule Named Sal and Fifteen Miles on the Erie Canal. Around 1905 mule powered barge traffic had converted to steam power and diesel power was about to take over.
How many years did Sal work on the Erie Canal?
Like most folk songs, the lyrics (and title!) of The Erie Canal Song has changed over time. The most obvious changes from Thomas Allen’s orignal version has been changing the word years to miles. Allen’s original version commerates 15 years of working along the canal with Sal.
When was low bridge on the Erie Canal written?
Originally written sometime between 1905-1912, “Low Bridge! – Everybody Down” (subtitled “Fifteen Years on the Erie Canal”) was composed by Thomas S. Allen (1876-1919) of Natick, Massachusetts.