i remember...the four or five hour ride
on a donkey...down the great ravine, on a narrow trail
it was late september...but the weather felt like july
at the bottom, where the river swirls, there's a shady vale
i was packin' up my mule upstairs
and i...must admit that i was scared
i said, oh no...this ain't a thing i should do
though, i thought at first, this trip would be so cool
now, i'll never ride bareback on some ol' mule

took a gander...see what's gonna be in store
it don't look like there's too much room, on this narrow trail
i can't stand it...and i hate it even more
as this pack of mules careen over hill and dale
well i...kick my donkey, but he won't go
i wanna...make it down, but he's too slow
i said, oh no...this transportation won't do
i know this kind of thinkin' may be cruel
but i'll never ride bareback on some ol' mule

gotta warn ya...stumble and you will be...
flyin' through the air, you know, you are gonna sail
they will mourn ya...and mention the stupidity
on hopping on the backs of mules, on a narrow trail
quick as a missle, i start to go
i'm hangin' on...i thought this mule was slow
i said, oh no...this ain't a smart thing to do
to try this kind of thing, it takes a fool
and i'll never ride bareback on some ol' mule