The Erie Canal

betgo

Joined Jul 2011

11,340 Posts | 2,849+

Discussion Starter
• Aug 7, 2025

• #1

Completed in 1825, it started to lose importance in the mid 19th century due to the railroads. It connected the Great Lakes with the Hudson River and eventually the Atlantic. It's main importance was allowing the export of grain from prime midwestern farm land to Europe. It helped make NYC and Chicago huge cities.

 

johnincornwall

Joined Nov 2010

14,406 Posts | 4,143+

Cornwall

• Aug 7, 2025

• #2

Erie Canal - Music lyrics Erie Canal - Music lyrics

 

betgo

Joined Jul 2011

11,340 Posts | 2,849+

Discussion Starter
• Aug 7, 2025

• #3

johnincornwall said:

Erie Canal - Music lyrics Erie Canal - Music lyrics

Click to expand...

They had us sing the first one, Low Bridge in elementary school.

I posted before another one goes "Buffalo ..... won't you come out tonight and dance by the the light of the moon". The canal workers got some time off at the ends of the canal in Albany and Buffalo. That song seems ambiguous whether it refers to prostitutes, strippers, or .... who went to dances.

 

D

delta1

Joined Jan 2013

4,375 Posts | 3,312+

Toronto, Canada

• Aug 7, 2025

• #4

betgo said:

They had us sing the first one, Low Bridge in elementary school.

I posted before another one goes "Buffalo ..... won't you come out tonight and dance by the the light of the moon". The canal workers got some time off at the ends of the canal in Albany and Buffalo. That song seems ambiguous whether it refers to prostitutes, strippers, or .... who went to dances.

Click to expand...

I know the latter one from It's a Wonderful Life.