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Shovel Shanty

from Summon the Sun by Crosscurrents Music

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A true tale in the John Henry tradition from a Green Bay blizzard.

lyrics

When I was a little baby
A-sittin' on my mamma's knee
I picked up a shovel and a handful of snow
Said, shovelin's gonna be the death of me, Lord, Lord
Said, shovelin's gonna be the death of me.

My neighbor said unto me,
Gonna bring that snowblower 'round
Gonna fetch that snowblower home from the store
Snowblow my driveway on down, Lord, Lord
Snowblow my driveway on down.

I said unto my neighbor
Woman ain't more than a man
But before I let your snowblower beat me
I'll die with my shovel in my hand, Lord, Lord
I'll die with my shovel in my hand.

Well, the man who invented snowblowers
He thought he was mighty fine
But I shoveled my driveway and I backed out my car
Before my neighbor unclogged his fuel line, Lord Lord
Before my neighbor unclogged his fuel line.

I shoveled most of that morning
With my shovel strikin' fire
I shoveled so hard I threw out my lower back
And I laid down my shovel like to die, Lord Lord
Laid down my shovel like to die.

Well, now, I ain't got no John Henry
To call me Polly Ann
But you know until he comes along
I can shovel my driveway like a man, Lord Lord
Shovel my driveway like a man.

And if I have a little baby
You could hold in the palm of your hand
The first words her daddy's gonna teach her to say,
Your mama shovels fast as I can, Lord Lord
Mama shovels fast as I can.

Well, now every snowy morning
When the plows begin to sing
You can hear my shovel for a mile or more
Hear my snow shovel ring, Lord Lord
Hear my snow shovel ring.

credits

from Summon the Sun, released December 2, 2020

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Crosscurrents Music Boston, Massachusetts

Lynn Noel brings traditional song and heritage arts online to create community. Lynn has a voice of striking clarity and power, equally at home in rhythmic chanteys and flowing ballads.

Lynn is a respected song session leader on both sides of the Atlantic and the producer and host of the Mermaid's Tavern online folk club. She is currently Program Chair of the New England Folk Festival (NEFFA). ... more

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