Anna,

I am not familiar with Taj's version of this song, but it is clearly a work song usually called "Linin' Track." Work gangs building the railroads would often sing songs to make the work go easier, to coordinate efforts (everybody pushing at the same time), and to help the gang pace themselves so they didn't run out of steam (so to speak) before the end of a very long day (dusk to dawn). The same concept that spawned sea chanteys.

Koerner, Ray and Glover do a version on their recently reissued CD. Lead Belly also does a version (that's where KRG got the song).

Roger in Baltimore