I recently had my Grandpa's railroad watch repaired. Its a 1917 Illinois, and he bought it when he went to work for the L&N Railroad. I was inspired to write this bluegrass tune

Southern Flyer
By Ernie Johnson


I want to (G)ride that Southern (F)Flyer

Down to Nashville, through the (G)night

Let the (G)rumble of the (F)railcars

Rock my soul, til the morning(G) light

Verse 1

Go a-(G)rolling down through (D)Bardstown

Cross the hollers and the(G) hills

Past (G)tobacco barns and (D)cornfields

Past the churches and the (G)stills

Verse 2

To the(G) switching yards in (D)Birmingham

Picking up a load of (G)coal

Rocking (G)hard on mountain (D)trestles

Blowing cinders, steam and (G)smoke

Chorus

I want to (G)ride that Southern (F)Flyer

Down to Nashville through the(G) night

Let the(G) rumble of the (F)railcars

Rock my soul til the morning (G)light





Verse 3

You know my(G) Grandpa was a(D) switchman

Forty years on the (G)L&N

And my (G)Daddy was a (D)rail man

Like his brothers, Charles and (G)Jim

Verse 4

I used to (G)walk past Albroe's (D)Grocery

To where those black steam engines (G)rolled

Grandpa'd(G) hold me by my (D)shoulder

"Son watch that driving wheel grab (G)hold!"

Chorus

I want to(G) ride that Southern (F)Flyer

Down to Nashville through the (G)night

Let the (G)rumble of the (F)rail cars

Rock my (C)soul til the morning (G)light

Verse 5

That old steam(G) engine was like my (D)Grandpa

They're both gone, and they ain't coming(G) back

But in my (G)dreams I hear that whistle (D)calling

That SouthernFlyer keeps rolling down the (G)track

Chorus

I want to (G)ride that Southern (F)Flyer

Down to Nashville through the (G)night

Let the(G) rumble of the (F)railcars

Rock my soul til the morning (G)light
(repeat last two lines, then end)