I Wish I Was a Mole In the Ground
Encyclopedia
I Wish I Was a Mole In the Ground is a traditional American folk song. It was most famously recorded and archived in the Library of Congress by Bascom Lamar Lunsford
in 1924. It has also been recorded by many other performers.
As stated in his own words within his recordings, Lunsford considered himself an archivist and never took credit for this song or any songs he recorded. He traveled the western mountains of North Carolina and learned this song from the "locals" as it was his goal and passion to archive songs that he heard growing up for historical reference.
The song is sometimes known by one of its verses, "Tempie let your hair roll down", and is the basis for the campfire song "I Wish I Was a Little Bar of Soap".
.
The author Greil Marcus
cites the song as a perfect example of nihilism
in his book Lipstick Traces: A Secret History of the 20th Century
and as a precursor to the music Bob Dylan and the Band recorded at the Big Pink in 1967 (as discussed in the liner notes to The Basement Tapes [1975]).
There are about 40 more recorded versions listed in Jane Keefer's internet Folk Music Index
Bascom Lamar Lunsford
Bascom Lamar Lunsford was a lawyer, folklorist, and performer of traditional music from western North Carolina. He was often known by the nickname "Minstrel of the Appalachians."- Early life :...
in 1924. It has also been recorded by many other performers.
As stated in his own words within his recordings, Lunsford considered himself an archivist and never took credit for this song or any songs he recorded. He traveled the western mountains of North Carolina and learned this song from the "locals" as it was his goal and passion to archive songs that he heard growing up for historical reference.
The song is sometimes known by one of its verses, "Tempie let your hair roll down", and is the basis for the campfire song "I Wish I Was a Little Bar of Soap".
Literature
The song is mentioned by Salman Rushdie's character Ormus in his work, The Ground Beneath Her FeetThe Ground Beneath Her Feet
The Ground Beneath Her Feet is the sixth novel written by Salman Rushdie. Published in 2000, it is a variation on the Orpheus/Eurydice myth with rock music replacing Orpheus' lyre...
.
The author Greil Marcus
Greil Marcus
Greil Marcus is an American author, music journalist and cultural critic. He is notable for producing scholarly and literary essays that place rock music in a much broader framework of culture and politics than is customary in pop music journalism.-Life and career:Marcus was born in San Francisco...
cites the song as a perfect example of nihilism
Nihilism
Nihilism is the philosophical doctrine suggesting the negation of one or more putatively meaningful aspects of life. Most commonly, nihilism is presented in the form of existential nihilism which argues that life is without objective meaning, purpose, or intrinsic value...
in his book Lipstick Traces: A Secret History of the 20th Century
Lipstick Traces: A Secret History of the 20th Century
Lipstick Traces: A Secret History of the 20th Century is a non-fiction book by American rock-music critic Greil Marcus that examines popular music and art as a social critique of Western culture....
and as a precursor to the music Bob Dylan and the Band recorded at the Big Pink in 1967 (as discussed in the liner notes to The Basement Tapes [1975]).
Recordings
- Bascom Lamar LunsfordBascom Lamar LunsfordBascom Lamar Lunsford was a lawyer, folklorist, and performer of traditional music from western North Carolina. He was often known by the nickname "Minstrel of the Appalachians."- Early life :...
on Anthology of American Folk MusicAnthology of American Folk MusicThe Anthology of American Folk Music is a six-album compilation released in 1952 by Folkways Records , comprising eighty-four American folk, blues and country music recordings that were originally issued from 1927 to 1932.Experimental filmmaker and notable eccentric Harry Smith compiled the music...
Smithsonian FolkwaysSmithsonian FolkwaysSmithsonian Folkways is the nonprofit record label of the Smithsonian Institution. It is a part of the Smithsonian's Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, located at Capital Gallery in downtown Washington, D.C. The label was founded in 1987 after the family of Moses Asch, founder of Folkways...
1952 - Cisco HoustonCisco HoustonGilbert Vandine 'Cisco' Houston was an American folk singer and songwriter who is closely associated with Woody Guthrie due to their extensive history of recording together....
- Patrick SkyPatrick SkyPatrick Sky is a musician, singer and songwriter of Irish and Native American ancestry...
Two Steps Forward, One Step Back - Michael Cooney "Singer of Old Songs" (1975)
- Jackson C. FrankJackson C. FrankJackson Carey Frank was an American folk musician.-Early life:When Jackson Frank was 11, a furnace exploded at his school, sending a ball of flames down corridors until it ended up in Frank's music classroom in the Cleveland Hill Elementary School in Cheektowaga, New York...
on his self-titled album Jackson C. FrankJackson C. Frank (album)Jackson C. Frank is the 1965 self-titled album by Jackson C. Frank, released by Columbia . It was produced by Paul Simon, and both Al Stewart and Art Garfunkel attended the recording. Frank was apparently so nervous at the time that, in order to play and sing, he had to have screens around him...
(1965). The song is credited under the title of Kimbie. - Steve Suffet on his CD Now the Wheel Has Turned (2005).
- Charlie ParrCharlie ParrCharlie Parr is an American country blues musician, born in Austin, Minnesota, United States. He started his music career in Duluth, Minnesota. His influences include Charlie Patton, Bukka White, Reverend Gary Davis, and Dave Van Ronk. He plays a National resonator guitar, a fretless open-back...
on his 2002 album 1922
There are about 40 more recorded versions listed in Jane Keefer's internet Folk Music Index