Phrases in blues songs have a habit of being repeated over and over again, by various singers. I'm trying to find more context for the Singing Country quote. I'm searching for my Ruby Pickens Tartt book because I'm sure that's the Mrs. Tartt Lomax refers to. The phrase also was used by Peggy Lee and Dinah Shore in 1947, so I'm sure that by the time Lomax published his book in 1949, lots of people were singing it.

IT TAKES A LONG LONG TRAIN WITH A RED CABOOSE
Dick Charles / Lawrence W Marks Jr

as recorded by
Peggy Lee with Dave Barbour & his Orchestra
1947

also recorded by
Dinah Shore '47


I went out to the depot to meet the twelve-o-two,
He wrote me he'd be on it but the train went right on through!
Hoo-oo-oo-ee! Hear that whistle say,
"It takes a long long train with a red caboose to carry my blues away!".

The engineer was wavin' as the train went down the track,
I felt so heavy hearted that I couldn't wave him back!
Hoo-oo-oo-ee! Hear that whistle say,
"It takes a long long train with a red caboose to carry my blues away!".

I listen to that lonesome whistle,
Listen to that mournful bell;
The echo said, "I told you so!",
But my heart said, "Fare thee well!".

I stood there in the station with his letter in my hand,
Cried just like a baby 'cause I lost my lovin' man!
Hoo-oo-oo-ee! Hear that whistle say,
"It takes a long long train with a red caboose to carry my blues away!".

I listen to that lonesome whistle,
Listen to that mournful bell;
The echo said, "I told you so!",
But my heart said, "Fare thee well!".

I know he didn't miss me 'cause he's always on the dot;
He told me that he loved me but I guess he loves me not!
Hoo-oo-oo-ee! Hear that whistle say,
"It takes a long long train with a red caboose to carry my blues away!".
Hoo-oo-oo-ee!
Hoo-oo-oo-ee!
Hoo-oo-oo-ee! Carry my blues away!


Discogs.com attributes the Peggy Lee version to songwriters Dick Charles and Larry Marks, recorded on Capitol by Lee in early 1947. The Dinah Shore recording was released in August 1947.


Here's Peggy Lee (1947): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8Kfx5jsAyE

Dinah Shore (1947): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSJ9f8ZJeQ8

Patti Page (date unknown): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMoQQ1oBzFU

The Browns (date unknown): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_Lu1qXgfjM

Janet Seidel (tribute to Peggy Lee): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxksflzXfKE

There's a nice recent recording by the Roe Family Singers (click) of Minneapolis.