63 “I Wish I Was A Mole In The Ground” by Bascom Lamar Lunsford

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April 22, 2012 by gadaya

Another classic Anthology song, in probably its best interpretation. Bascom Lamar Lunsford recorded the song many times during his career and it was a widespread tune in the south, sharing its simple melody with many other songs (New River Train, More pretty girls than one, Lay down my old guitar…) It was sung by many during the folk revival and is still popular today. Many sing it with the 5-string banjo played in the clawhammer style (Lunsford picked it in a index -lead picking style) and the pace varies from one version to another.

LYRICS:

I wish I was a mole in the ground.
Yes, I wish I was a mole in the ground.
‘F I’se a mole in the ground, I’d root that mountain down,
And I wish I was a mole in the ground.

Oh, Kimpy wants a nine-dollar shawl.
Yes, Kimpy wants a nine-dollar shawl.
When I come o’er the hill with a forty-dollar bill,
‘Tis, “Baby, where you been so long?”

I been in the Bend so long.
Yes, I been in the Bend so long.
I been in the Bend with the rough and rowdy men.
‘Tis, “Baby, where you been so long?”

I don’t like a railroad man.
No, I don’t like a railroad man.
‘Cause a railroad man, they’ll kill you when he can,
And drink up your blood like wine.

Oh, I wish I was a lizard in the spring.
Yes, I wish I was a lizard in the spring.
‘F I’se a lizard in the spring, I’d hear my darlin’ sing,
An’ I wish I was a lizard in the spring.

Come, Kimpy, let your hair roll down.
Kimpy let your hair roll down.
Let your hair roll down and your bangs curl around.
Oh, Kimpy, let your hair roll down.

I wish I was a mole in the ground.
Yes, I wish I was a mole in the ground.
‘F I’se a mole in the ground, I’d root that mountain down,
An’I wish I was a mole in the ground.

Some of the best reading I’ve found on the Anthology is in Robert Cantwell’s book/essay about the Folk Revival  “When Were Good ». In his chapter on Harry Smith’s Anthology, here are some pages devoted to Lunsford’s “Mole in the Ground “:

I’ve compiled 22 versions of Mole In The Ground (or Tempie as many called the song ) reflecting my own personal favorites among the many versions you can find out there.

1. Mole In The Ground Dirk Powell & Tim O’Brien Songs From The Mountain
2. Tempie Tommy Jarrell The Legacy of Tommy Jarrell, Vol. 2: Rainbow Sign
3. Tempie Eddie Bond & Josh Ellis John Brown’s Dream
4. I Wish I Was A Mole In The Ground Green Bailey Kentucky Mountain Music
5. I Wish I Was A Mole In The Ground Bascom Lamar Lunsford Anthology Of American Folk Music 
6. I Wish I Were a Mole in the Ground Charlie Parr 1922
7. I Wish I Was A Mole In The Ground Eden & John’s East River String Band Drunken Barrel House Blues
8. I Wish I Was A Mole In The Ground Frank Fairfield I’ve Always Been A Rambler
9. Mole in the Ground Holy Modal Rounders Holy Modal Rounders
10. Kimbie Jackson C. Frank Jackson C. Frank 
11. Tempie Rafe Stefanini Ladies Fancy 
12. Mole In The Ground Karen Dalton 1966 
13. Tempie Pine Tree String Band Bluegrass Favorites
14. Mole In The Ground Doc Watson Songs for Little Pickers
15. Tempie roll down your bangs Tommy Jarrell Come And Go With Me
16. Songs Mole in the Ground Dave Fredrickson Songs of the West
17. I wish I was a mole in the ground The Chancey Brothers Black & White, Recorded in the field by Art Rosenbaum
18. Sally Let Your Bangs Hang Down Roan Mountain Hilltoppers The Roan Mountain Hilltoppers in Concert
19. Mole in the Ground Dan Zanes and Friends Rocket Ship Beach 
20. Kimbie Marianne Faithfull Easy Come, Easy Go
21. Mole In the Ground Elizabeth LaPrelle Lizard In the Spring
22. Mole In the Ground/Old Dan Tucker Larry Hanks Tying a Knot In the Devil’s Tail
23. Mole in the Ground Pete Seeger Birds, Beasts, Bugs and Fishes Little and Big