Odetta, "Timber (Jerry the Mule)," The Essential Odetta

Odetta Holmes, (December 31, 1930 December 2, 2008), known as Odetta, was an African-American singer, actress, guitarist, songwriter, and a human rights activist whose career spanned some 64 years. She was an extraordinary woman and artist. Rest well, Odetta!

This song is from Odetta's early folk music period. This particular song highlights her powerful voice and was written by the talented Josh White.

Lyrics:

Timber (Jerry the Mule)

Got to pull this timber 'fore the sun goes down,
Get it cross the river 'fore the boss comes 'round,
Drag it down that old dusty road,
Come on, Jerry, let's dump this load,

cho: Hollerin' timber! (timber!) Lord, this timber's gotta roll.

My old Jerry was an Arkansas mule
Been everywhere and he ain't no fool.
Weighed nlne hundred and twenty-two,
Done everything a poor mule can do...

Jerry's old shoulder was six foot tall,
Pulled more timber than a freight can haul,
Work got heavy, Ol' Jerry got sore,
Pulled so much he wouldn't pull no more...
Boss hit Jerry and made him jump,
Jerry reared up and kicked that boss in the rump,
Now my old Jerry was a good old mule,
If it had-a been me I'd-a killed that fool...

The boss he tried to shoot my Jerry in the head,
Jerry ducked the bullet and stomped him dead,
Stomped that boss till I wanted to scream,
Should have killed him myself, he was so danm mean...

Originally recorded by Josh White

Category:

Music

Tags:

• folk
• music
• Odetta
• Timber
• Jerry
• the
• Mule
• guitar
• vocal
• Josh
• White
• human
• rights
• activist
• African-American

[lapislazulisea]

where can i buy this mp3?!

[LinnieK9]

@lapislazulisea Try Amazon.

[zeppelo]

I gave the name "Jerry The Mule" to my blues quartet because of this song! Amazing voice! We perform this masterpiece taking inspiration both from this version and the Harry Belafonte version...

[ivycompton]

One of the great versions of this song. Odetta nails it the hardest. Thanks for posting this masterpiece!

[OscarCommie]

Solid stuff!

[5678blahblahblah]

absolutely amazing :)

[pankajmolekhi]

divine rendition. so down to earth, and so soul lifting.

[pushpash77]

I think she has the best voice i have ever heard in my life... it sends shivers down my spine... you know bob dylan said that she was the reaon he went into folk music....

[sospello]

Thank you for bringing this powerful voice back to me, Linnie. I really appreciate the lyrics and information as well.