"The Boss" Sings About The Erie Canal

For the first time I may have to go out and buy a Bruce Springsteen album. His latest album, to be released on April 25, is dedicated to folk singer Pete Seeger and contains fifteen American folk songs, one of them having a strong connection to the Mohawk Valley. Track six is the Erie Canal song that most of us had to learn in elementary school.

Here is the complete 'We Shall Overcome The Seeger Sessions' Track Listing

1. Old Dan Tucker
2. Jessie James
3. Mrs. McGrath
4. Oh, Mary, Don't You Weep
5. John Henry
6. Erie Canal
7. Jacob's Ladder
8. My Oklahoma Home
9. Eyes On The Prize
10. Shenandoah
11. Pay Me My Money Down
12. We Shall Overcome
13. Froggie Went A-Courtin'

Bonus Tracks:

Buffalo Gals
How Can I Keep From Singing

There have been other important songs relating to the Mohawk Valley in the past. I have a copy of Jack Patton And Friends recording of Mohawk River Valley on the Gold Tone label. Eventually this song was changed to The Red River Valley, and that is how most people know it today.

Here is a song about Christmas In The Mohawk Valley that I had not heard of until recently. The song is by Dillinger and was produced by Mark Werchowski. It is primarily a song about the Upper Mohawk Valley.

Here are the words:

Fall has fell and the leaves are gone and the stores are crowded at Sangertown. Santa's on his way and the kids can't wait from Dolgeville to the Griffiss gate. Waterville and Camden too, you can feel it in the air it's that Christmas mood. Never know what to buy for the family in Little Falls and Oriskany. It's Christmas in the Valley again, it's Christmas in the Mohawk Valley again. All our friends will come back home, see the kids and how they've grown and it's Christmas in the valley once again. In Boonville and in Ilion, mailing letters to Santa and cards to friends. Rudolfs coming to Utica/Rome last year he stopped at Uncle Jeff's farm, down Route 12 past Riverside, over Deerfield Hills see them reindeer fly, goodwill and presents for everyone, the valley's Santa's favorite stop; and it's Christmas in the valley again, Christmas in the Mohawk Valley again, snowflakes dance raise a glass to friends, count our blessings we're together again, and it's Christmas in the valley once again. Down Erie Blvd. West on Dominick, look up in the sky it's old St. Nick, look after your neighbors take care of your friends you'd better be good so Santa comes back again. In Schuyler and in Sylvan Beach, good people good times never out of reach, rock and roll radio playing loud on the sleigh, let's gather 'round the tree it's Christmas day. It's Christmas in the valley again, Christmas in the Mohawk Valley again, 'round the Parkway down Genesee, Christmas spirit is all you'll see and it's Christmas in the valley once again. Christmas in the Mohawk Valley again. All our friends will come back home, see the kids and how they've grown; it's Christmas in the valley once again, Christmas in the Mohawk Valley again.