Wabash Cannonball is originally from "The Great Rock Island Route" credited to J. A. Roff in 1882. It rewritten in 1904 as "Wabash Cannon Ball," perhaps by William Kindt, who copyrighted it. Cohen suspects the rewrite preceded Kindt's 1904 publication, and common tune is not the same as either Roff's or Kindt's.

The Carters 1929 recording was very popular until Roy Acuff adopted the song when he played it on the Grande Ole Opry circa 1939.
I never like the way the Carters and others rhymed "shore" with "shore" in the opening verse.

WABASH CANNONBALL- Carter Family 1929

Out from the wide Pacific to the broad Atlantic shore
She climbs flowery mountains over hills and by the shore
Although she's tall and handsome and known quite well by all
She's a regular combination of the Wabash Cannonball

Oh, the eastern states are dandy, so the western people say
Chicago, Rock Island, St. Louis by the way
To the lakes of Minnesota where the rippling waters fall
No changes can be taken on the Wabash Cannonball

    Oh, listen to the jingle
    The rumble and the roar
    As she glides along the woodlands
    Over hills and by the shore
    She climbs the flowery mountains
    Hear the lonesome hobo squall
    She glides along the woodlands
    The Wabash Cannonball
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Oh, here's to Daddy Claxton, let his name forever be
And long be remembered in the ports of Tennessee
For he is a good old rounder till the curtain round him fall
He'll be carried back to victory on the Wabash Cannonball

I have rode the I.C. Limited, also the Royal Blue
Across the eastern countries on mail car number two
I have rode those highball trains from coast to coast that's all
But I have found no equal to the Wabash Cannonball

    Oh, Listen to the jingle
    The rumble and the roar
    As she glides along the woodlands
    Over hills and by the shore
    She climbs the flowery mountains
    Hear the merry hobo squall
    She glides along the woodlands
    The Wabash Cannonball
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK