Lyr Req: Railroading on the Great Divide (S Carter

Subject: lyric search: railroading on the great divide
From: Sonoma Steve
Date: 13 May 99 - 07:28 AM

Years ago, on a piece of scrap audiotape I picked up at a radio station where I was working, I found some transcriptions of old Carter Family recordings. One of the songs was Railroading on the Great Divide. I heard it again recently at a festival and it reminded me that I had not been able to find the lyrics. The tape has long since disappeared (and it only had half of the song on it, the tape was broken off about 90 seconds or so). I'd love to renew my friendship with that fine old song.

Is there anyone out there willing and able to bring us together?

Steve Petaluma, CA

Subject: RE: lyric search: railroading on the great divide
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 13 May 99 - 07:59 AM

What happened?! I'll try again ...
If you go to the Forum Search page and enter railroading in the subjecy box, you'll find a couple of threads on the song, including the words.

Steve

Subject: Lyr Add: RAILROADING ON THE GREAT DIVIDE
From: harpgirl
Date: 13 May 99 - 08:06 AM

Steve,
Legend has it that AP heard Sara Dougherty sing this song and fell in love with her:

Railroading on the Great Divide

Nineteen thirteen and I started to roam
Out in the west no money or home
I was drifiting along with the tide
When I landed on the Great Divide.
Railroadin on the Great Divide
Nothin around me but the rocky's and sky
It's there you'll find me as the years go by
Railroadin on the Great Divide
As I was walkin out across the fields
Number three's a comin she's the fastest on wheels
She rolls through the valley as she glides with pride
Rollin along the Great Divide
chorus
Just ask any old timer from down in old Cheyenne
Railroadin in Wyoming's the best in the land
On those long steel rails and short crosss ties
I laid along the GReat Divide
chorus
I think a forum search would turn up more verses and discussion of this tune...harpgirl

Subject: RE: lyric search: railroading on the great divide
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 13 May 99 - 11:26 AM

I heard Sarah Gray sing this and fell in in love with her!

Steve

(Didn't do me much good though!)

Subject: RE: lyric search: railroading on the great divide
From: Frank Of Toledo
Date: 13 May 99 - 11:36 AM

Utah Phillips does his typical great job on this song. you can find it on a Red House Recording with Utah, Ramblin' Jack Elliott and Spider John Koerner, called, 'LEGENDS OF FOLK". Another fine version can be found of Flying Fish: "NEVER GROW OLD"; Anne Hills and Cindy Mangsen with Steve Gillette. I really like the melody of this song. Gives you the feel of ties rumblin' neath the feet and the words, well they say it all. Great Song................Makes me wanna go ride the rods again.

Subject: RE: lyric search: railroading on the great divide
From: Pet e Peterson
Date: 13 May 99 - 02:01 PM

The Carter family story I have is that it was Engine 143 that Sara was singing when AP saw her and fell in love-- which makes a lot more sense, since the Great Divide is one that Sara wrote around 1950 or so when she was taking the transcontinental RR back and forth from Angels Camp down to see her children who still lived (and still live!) around Maces Spring VA. It's one of the last authentic Carter Family songs and to me it's one of the best.