North to Alaska was early '60s. I remember seeing the movie when I was in college. I don't think Norman got much into songwriting until the early '70s, from the dates given in liner notes to various CDs. Slow Train Through Georgia evidently first came out in '76, on Whiskey Before Breakfast.

I agree with you about the similiarity of the choruses. More to the point, so does my wife, who has a vastly better ear than I. But I don't believe Norman did it on purpose. I prefer to believe is was either coincidence, or an unconcious thing.

Peter.