Mule Skinners at Midnight (Original / Inspired by Jimmie Rodgers)

[Intro – instrumental] [Verse 1] [Lead: male bari-tenor, smoky Southern twang, relaxed and conversational; playful storytelling with subtle blues phrasing.] I hit the rails when the sun went low Got my pack and my hat, headed down below Mules a-creakin', whistle blowin' clear Workin' these rails with a grin ear to ear [Lead: slightly more animated; rhythmic phrasing.] Lantern swingin' while the wheels roll by Smoke curls upward to a starless sky Got a load to move before the break of day So we keep that old train movin' on its way [Yodel Break] [Lead: brief, natural Appalachian yodel; one short phrase.] Hee-ee-oh, ride that train! [Fiddle: playful answer.] [Rap 1] [Spoken-rap: loose Southern storytelling cadence over the swing; rhythmic but relaxed.] Midnight whistle blowin', boots hit the floor Mules kickin' dust while I'm keepin' score Train wheels turnin', whistle hums a song Workin' till the daylight, hustlin' all night long [Lead: half-sung response.] All night long... [Verse 2] [Lead: confident, slightly mischievous; lean into the humor.] Stacks of hay and a whistle in the dark Movin' freight, callin' out, leave a mark From the river bends to the mountain line Every mile I'm singin' in my own time Got a little dust on my Sunday clothes Got a stubborn old mule with a crooked nose He don't care where that railroad goes Long as there's another load to tow [Lead: amused aside.] He's got opinions of his own. [Rap 2] [Spoken-rap: slightly stronger rhythmic delivery; cinematic swing underneath.] Chains rattle, sparks fly, rhythm in my soul Mule skinner's anthem, never lose control From the depot to the river, every whistle cry Movin' freight, makin' time, watch the night go by [Lead: spoken, amused.] Keep that old train movin'. [Chorus] [Lead: full, energetic country-swing delivery; melodic and open, with only a subtle yodel touch.] Ride that midnight train Let that whistle call my name Through the valley, through the rain Ride that midnight train [Harmony: light response on “midnight train.”] [Lead: brief yodel tucked into the melody.] Hee-ee-oh, rollin' on [Instrumental Break] [Fiddle: lively Appalachian swing solo with blues notes and playful slides.] [Dobro: short answering phrases.] [Mandolin: crisp la pompe.] [Lead: occasional quiet spoken encouragement between instrumental phrases.] [Verse 3] [Lead: warm, slightly tired but satisfied; pull back dynamically.] Sun's risin', mules slowin', daybreak near But the night and the rails, they still call me here Got a little dust on my boots and my face But there's always another load to place When the whistle blows, I'll be back around Following that old familiar sound Day may be breakin', but the rails roll on And I'll be somewhere working when the next night's gone [Final Chorus] [Lead: fullest vocal; joyful but grounded, no exaggerated yodeling.] Ride that midnight train Let that whistle call my name Through the valley, through the rain Ride that midnight train [Harmony: soft response.] Ride that train... [Lead: one final restrained yodel accent.] Hee-ee-oh... [Outro] [Lead: relaxed, almost spoken; satisfied smile in the voice.] Sun's comin' up... Mules are slowin' down... But that old whistle's still somewhere Callin' through the mountains... [Fiddle: soft descending answer.] [Lead: quiet.] Rails keep rollin' on... [Instrumental fade]