The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #171582   Message #4150293
Posted By: Joe Offer
15-Aug-22 - 12:10 AM
Thread Name: Origins: Pittsburgh Town
Subject: Lyr Add: Pittsburgh Town
PITTSBURGH TOWN

Well, Pittsburgh town is a smoky old town, Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh town is a smoky old town, Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh town is a smoky old town
Solid steel from McKeesport down
Pittsburgh, Lord God, Pittsburgh

Well, Pittsburgh town is a hilly old town, Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh town is a hilly old town, Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh town is a hilly old town
The streets and the roads go up and down
In Pittsburgh, Lord God, Pittsburgh

Well, Pittsburgh town is a river town, Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh town is a river town, Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh town is a river town
The two rivers meet at a point downtown
In Pittsburgh, Lord God, Pittsburgh

Well now, what did Jones and Laughlan steal? Pittsburgh
What did Jones and Laughlan steal? Pittsburgh
What did Jones and Laughlan steal?
Up an' down the river jus' as far as you can see
In Pittsburgh, Lord God, Pittsburgh

From the Allegheny to the Ohio, in Pittsburgh
From the Allegheny to the Ohio
From the Allegheny to the Ohio
They're joining up in the C.I.O.
In Pittsburgh, Lord God, Pittsburgh

Well, Pittsburgh town is a smoky old town, Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh town is a smoky old town, Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh town is a smoky old town
Steel on the top and coal underground
Pittsburgh, Lord God, Pittsburgh


Recording by Vivien Richman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM89zlGmQ50


I first visited Pittsburgh in about 1966, and I was amazed at how everything was covered with black soot - traffic signs, everything. My next visit was maybe 20 years later, after the steel mills had begun shutting down. I couldn't believe the difference. A city surrounded by hills at the confluence of two magnificent rivers, with amazing architecture and bridges and FUNICULARS. Oh, my. I have been back many times since then.

https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95400060