MOLE IN THE GROUND

“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, Mr. 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songs that he heard growing up for historical reference.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”.

I wish I was a mole in the ground

If I was a mole in the ground

I’d root that mountain down

I wish I was a mole in the ground

I wish I was a lizard in the spring

If I was a lizard in the spring

I could hear my darling sing

I wish I was a lizard in the spring

Kibby wants a nine dollar shawl

I come over the hill with a forty dollar bill

And it’s honey where you been so long

I wish I was a turtle in the pond

If I was a turtle in the pond

I would stay there all day long

I wish I was a turtle in the pond

and I wish I was a mole in the ground

chords

Banjo Mountain