Mule In The Tub: A Song History

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"Mule In The Tub" is an original mountain dulcimer tune by John Keane, one of fifteen pieces, each credited to him as composer, in 15 Originals, a 43-page book published by Fingers Of Steel.[1] Keane comes from Shreveport, Louisiana, holds a music education degree from Northeast Louisiana University (now the University of Louisiana-Monroe), and performs with Karen Keane.[2] The book's listing groups its tunes by tuning, with seven in DAD, then three in DGD, three in DAA and two in DAC, and this tune opens the DAA set alongside "Nadine Stole A Goat" and "Wasp In The Wagon."[1] The sources consulted here say nothing about how the tune got its name and list no recording of it.[1][2]

Etching of a mule carrying a large pack basket, standing in a farmyard among chickens

Félix Hilaire Buhot, The Mule, Marie-Jeanne, etching, 1872. A mule with no tub in sight, shown for the title; it has no connection to the tune.

Our book that contains the song "Mule In The Tub"

Sources

  1. Fingers Of Steel: "John Keane, 15 Originals".
  2. DulcimerDownloads: "John Keane".
  3. Image: Félix Hilaire Buhot, The Mule, Marie-Jeanne, etching, 1872. The Cleveland Museum of Art.

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