Lyr Add: Weathered Old Caboose behind the Train

Subject: Lyr Add: WEATHERED OLD CABOOSE BEHIND THE TRAIN^^
From: Stewie
Date: 29 Feb 00 - 09:23 PM

Here's a great little song from Norman Blake. I would appreciate some help. Can anyone with knowledge of such things correct any of the train, lines and geographical names that may be incorrect. Thanks.

THE WEATHERED OLD CABOOSE BEHIND THE TRAIN
(Norman Blake)

Oh I'd go back on the L&N and on the Southern too
If I only had my way again
I would ride that Seaboard Airline and Atlantic Coastline too
You would never hear me grumble or complain
I would ride that Georgia Southern and Florida railroad line
The Swanee River Route they called it too
I would travel down from Macon over to St Augustine
By the great Atlantic Ocean waves so blue

Chorus:
I am getting old and feeble and I cannot work no more
I've been out in the sunshine and the rain
And the only friend that's left now is this watch and chain of mine
And the weathered old caboose behind the train

It's the C&O and TP, the NC and St L
I've rode the Queen and Crescent and the Sunshine Special too
The New Orleans and North Eastern on down that Vicksburg route
Yes I've rode them all and many more it's true
I have seen the Katy Flyer from Texas to KC
The Red Ball freights beneath the prairie sky
And the dazzling scarlet Katy herald of the MKT
The Missouri Kansas Texas flashing by

Chorus

I have seen the fields and farm lands, the skyscrapers of Fort Worth
Come in sight of the engine's heading crew
And the MKT Bluebonnet southbound down that Texas line
On to Dallas now a-faster rollin' through
And the Rocky Mountain Rocket on the Rock Island Line
The Burlington-Denver Zephyr train
Towards the Queen City shining like silver in the sun
Where majestic mountains meet the windswept plain

Chorus

Published Blake and Blake Music
Words: Norman Blake. Tune traditional: 'Little Old Log Cabin in the Lane'/'Another Fall of Rain'/'Little Joe the Wrangler' family.

Source: Norman Blake 'Chattanooga Sugar Babe' Shanachie 6027 (1998)
PS

^^

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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Weathered Old Caboose ...
From: Ely
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 07:28 PM

Nope--looks pretty good. I see old MKT cars occasionally when I drive north to college. I love Norman and I've always loved trains; thanks for posting this.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Weathered Old Caboose behind the Train
From: GUEST,Ed O'Donnell
Date: 14 Jan 13 - 03:32 PM

This first time I had occasion to see the lylics of this song.
FANTASTIC- All the railroads and etc are right on -correct.
I learned my trade on the "old CNJ" "Throwing switches" "Riding the retainers" out on the fast freights and Pier18 coal trains. Brings back memories of my boomer days.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Weathered Old Caboose behind the Train
From: pdq
Date: 14 Jan 13 - 05:06 PM

Norman Blake must have done most of the lyrics. He is a real train buff.

However, the song dates (at least) to a recording made 1 OCT 1928 in Nashville by RCA.

Originally titled "The Little Red Caboose Behind the Train" and credited to Paul Warmack and the Gully Jumpers.

The tune is the same one used in the better-known "Little Old Log Cabin in the Lane". This one may be a predecessor of that song.

The tune and first chorus are close to the 1928 recording. I will listen again.