50 replies to this topic

[JacobSteinAFM]

Mike said:

All right! Makes sense, but what about the part where he says And left me a mule to ride? I know what a mule is, but what does he mean?:D

It's self-explanatory really:

"She caught the Katy (train) and left me a mule to ride"

So, it means that she took the train, leaving behind a mule.

[Mike]

Now I get it. Thanks a lot JacobSteinAFM!

[kasis]

wow, it`s so lame from me but don`t know why I thought a Katy was a type of car (not much of a car`s knower, does it show? hehe)

[mmwoodland]

I always thought "left me a mule to ride" refered to she left me behind while she took the fast track away trains are fast mules are slow...

[Cropper Classic]

[bbcentral]

Cropper Classic said:

Oddly enough in the 6 years of running this site and answering the same question about the song, that's the first time I've actually SEEN the Katy! Thanks Cropper! :D

[Cropper Classic]

Here's a little more info...

[Jo_Pierce]

Great thread, even years later!

And this is the beauty of master bluesmen - the ability to play with language on so many levels. Makes for great music!

[TI4438]

I always assumed 'Katy' was a train.This is also my favorite song from the movie.Orange Blossom Express and City of New Orleans are two other great train songs.

[Steam McQueen]

Jo_Pierce said:

Great thread, even years later!

Gotta agree there! I like trains. There's so much info on trains and the MKT line is no slouch. An unbelievable amount of information on-line, the rail line, if you will.

Have you heard of Crush, Texas? What could the name of that town have anything to do with the Katy ...



RIP "TWO PERSONS."

:sad:

The mule. Let's call a mule a mule. It was a mule, an animal. That's my thinkin'. I'm basing that on the age of the song writers of She Caught The Katy and My Baby She Left Me.

Yank Rachell was born in 1910, he wrote She Caught The Katy. During the depression he worked for the L&N (Louisville & Nashville) Railway.

I believe She Caught The Katy was released in 1968.



4 years later, Buddy Guy releases My Baby She Left me ...

Quote

When my baby she left me
She left me with a mule to ride
When my baby she left me
She left me with a mule to ride
When her train left the station
That old mule laid down and died

Listen to a short clip of that here ...
Buddy Guy & Junior Wells - Buddy Guy & Junior Wells Play The Blues - at Rhino

It's a great tune, written by Sonny Boy Williamson. Sonny was born sometime between 1908 and 1912.



I think that with Sonny Boy and Yank, both being born around 1910, they were referring to the mule power that took people from the rural areas to meet the train at its designated stops. Kinda like riding the mule back to the suburbs from the city? Heh, not sure. One thing is for sure ... she's tall!

[Petesilverfox]

Great to see all the different tangents people go on to verify the terminology!
Some of the postings are extremely infomative and explanatory.
Thanks for the information and enjoyment!