Traditional song about the Erie Canal in upstate New York.
americana
roots music
traditional folk music
contemporary folk music
Story behind the song
In the fashion of many canal songs, the boatmen are mocked as "sailors." In this song the canal boat was dragged by mules who were "spavined," or old and lame from spavin, a kind of equine arthritis. "Duck your nut" means lower your head because you are approaching a bridge.