Train Songs

Subject: RE: BS: Train Songs
From: jaze
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 11:05 AM

Tom Rush did a railroad song--Riding On A Railroad-- that I believe was written by James Taylor. Saw a PBS special about trains years ago with Johnny Cash narrarating and singing train songs. He sang a song about the elegance of the old trains and the words had something about "Burgundy" in it. Have tried for years to find this song. Not much to go on I know but anyone know it?

Subject: RE: BS: Train Songs
From: Luke
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 02:17 PM

I like the song "A Way Out There" for all around trainability.I mean it really sounds like one.

I wrote one about the little town I live in about my hundred year old neighbor Rollo. It's an oldtime train town I live in. We have a double track going right through this little town and the trains are so heavy people can't keep a good foundation beneath they're house from the shaking.

Would it be in poor taste to enter such a thing here?

Luke

Subject: RE: BS: Train Songs
From: Bert
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 02:21 PM

Luke, that would be great. Let's have it then. We LOVE songs by Mudcatters.

The only thing that's 'poor taste' is to mention a song and then not give us the words.

Subject: Lyr Add: ROLLO
From: Luke
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 02:43 PM

Rollo

Where Rush Creek meets the railroad down below the county line,
Highway nine,
There rests that home of mine.
My neighbor there is Rollo Best. For him I made this rhyme.
In his time,
He sold ice cream for a dime.
And Rollo knows who comes and goes, who rests and who reclines,
About makin' hay while the sun so brightly shines.

(Chorus:) Oh Rollo, Rollo, where did you go?
Went on down to Florida where the birds fly from the snow.
Oh Rollo, Rollo, where did you go?
Come on home, Rollo. You've got a yard to mow.

The railroad trains come into town, their horns a-blastin' blow,
Sad and low,
They come and then they go.
Foundations crumble 'neath the ground, down where it doesn't show,
Down below,
They come and then they go.
And Rollo's seen 'em come and go for a hundred years or more,
Feels every train come shakin' up through the floor. (Chorus)

Time passes like a rolling train in the middle of the night,
Out of sight,
Yet full of force and might.
The whistle calls to one and all asleep so snug and tight,
Shines its light
To the left and to the right.
Though Rollo's gone, the trains roll on.
Somehow, it don't seem right.
The rails bring on their diesel dynamite
And time brings on the snowbirds' fight.

This is about as trainy as I get.

Luke

HTML line breaks added. -JoeClone 27-Mar-01.

Subject: RE: BS: Train Songs
From: Luke
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 02:58 PM

I just did a search here on Mudcat for the song "Way Out There" I didn't find it. It was sung famously by the Weavers as well as some western radio bands. Maybe even Bob Wills. I'm not putting my finger on those names right now. (old and dusty in the attic)

The first verse goes: A lonely spot I know where no man can go Where the shadows have all the room I was riden free on that old SP Singin' a southern tune When a man come along made me hush my song Kicked me off a way out there Chorus: Eeeeeoodelediaeeaee Ooooooodelediaeeaee

Thats all I can remember

Subject: RE: BS: Train Songs
From: NightWing
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 03:41 PM

Luke, try this link. The song sounds right. (I actually found two threads about this song *S*

Away Out There

BB,
NightWing

Subject: RE: BS: Train Songs
From: Luke
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 03:47 PM

Thanks BB NightWing I was sure it was here somewhere.

Luke

Subject: Train songs?
From: josiah_cantwell
Date: 18 Feb 01 - 05:33 PM

I'm working on a project for a pal. Can anyone suggest some good train songs, blues or rock? I've got songs ranging from 'Rock Island Line' by Johnny Cash to 'Hellbound Train' by Savoy Brown to 'Hear My Train A'Comin' " by Hendrix, but I'm looking more for real songs about trains and rail trips and events than songs that use trains as a metaphor (like Tull's 'Locomotive Breath" which is more about life than a train). Train songs?

Subject: LYR ADD: DOESN'T ANYBODY KNOW MY NAME
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 23 Oct 01 - 08:10 PM

Lonesome EJ--

It doesn't appear that New River Train was ever discussed here. Lyrics are at this thread--great old bluegrass...

Guest, EJ:

The Glenn Yarborough song you were trying to think of is called "Doesn't Anybody Know My Name" by, believe it or not, Rod McKuen (well, I like him, but some folks may not). Lyrics may be found here, but I'll put them below as well, since a Forum search doesn't show them in the DT.

DOESN'T ANYBODY KNOW MY NAME
(Rod McKuen)
(© '65 Almo Music)

I've been away for so long
Fought a war that's come and gone
Doesn't anybody know my name
My sister upped and wed
Mom was sick and took to bed
And my old dog Red's gone lame
Please tell me if you can
What time the trains roll in
(Two ten, six eighteen, ten forty four)

This old house is falling down
There ain't no need in me for hanging round
Doesn't anybody know my name
The girl I left behind
she's gone with this friend of mine
I don't have to see a sign
To know things ain't the same
Please tell me if you can
What time the trains roll in
(Two ten, six eighteen, ten forty four)

You can't get far away
On just a soldier's pay
Doesn't anybody know my name
Used to be when I could see
Everybody wanted me
Guess nobody cares to see
A blind man catch a train
Please tell me if you can
What time the trains roll in
(Two ten, six eighteen, ten forty four).

And Doc Watson does a fine job on "Freight Train Blues." Lyrics for that can be found in this thread.

Wow! great bunch of train songs--Does anyone have the lyrics to Texas 47 (mentioned above)?? And a midi or ABC, maybe?

Lin

Subject: Lyr/Chords/Tune Add: I'M SO LONESOME I COULD CRY
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 23 Oct 01 - 08:39 PM

Oops, one more:

SINSULL, is the Hank Williams song you mentioned this one?

I'M SO LONESOME I COULD CRY
By HANK WILLIAMS
Transcribed from The Ultimate Country Fake Book, 4th edition, Hal Leonard, ISBN 0-8818-8260-7.
[C]Hear that [Em]lonesome [Am]whippoor-[C]will
He [C]sounds too [Em]blue to [Gm7]fly[C7]
The [F]midnight [Fm6]train is [C]whining [Am]low
I'm so [C]lonesome [G7]I could [C]cry

I've never seen a night so long
When time goes crawling by
The moon just went behind a cloud
To hide its face and cry

Did you ever see a robin weep
When leaves begin to die
That means he's lost the will to live
I'm so lonesome I could cry

The silence of a falling star
Lights up a purple sky
And as I wonder where you are
I'm so lonesome I could cry

MIDI file: Lonesome.MID

Timebase: 1024

TimeSig: 3/4 24 8
Key: F
Tempo: 096 (625000 microsec/crotchet)
Name: Instrument 1
Start
0000 1 60 064 0000 1 64 064 0000 1 67 064 0000 1 76 064 2048 0 60 000 0000 0 64 000 0000 0 67 000 0512 0 76 000 0000 1 72 064 0512 0 72 000 0000 1 64 064 0000 1 52 064 0000 1 55 064 0000 1 59 064 0000 1 76 064 2048 0 64 000 0000 0 52 000 0000 0 55 000 0000 0 59 000 0512 0 76 000 0000 1 72 064 0512 0 72 000 0000 1 69 064 0000 1 57 064 0000 1 60 064 0000 1 64 064 0000 1 76 064 2048 0 69 000 0000 0 57 000 0000 0 60 000 0000 0 64 000 0512 0 76 000 0000 1 72 064 0512 0 72 000 0000 1 60 064 0000 1 64 064 0000 1 67 064 0000 1 67 064 2048 0 60 000 0000 0 64 000 0000 0 67 000 0000 0 67 000 0000 1 72 064 1024 0 72 000 0000 1 60 064 0000 1 64 064 0000 1 67 064 0000 1 76 064 2048 0 60 000 0000 0 64 000 0000 0 67 000 0512 0 76 000 0000 1 72 064 0512 0 72 000 0000 1 64 064 0000 1 52 064 0000 1 55 064 0000 1 59 064 0000 1 76 064 2048 0 64 000 0000 0 52 000 0000 0 55 000 0000 0 59 000 0512 0 76 000 0000 1 72 064 0512 0 72 000 0000 1 67 064 0000 1 55 064 0000 1 58 064 0000 1 62 064 0000 1 65 064 0000 1 67 064 3072 0 55 000 0000 0 58 000 0000 0 62 000 0000 0 65 000 0000 0 67 000 0000 1 60 064 0000 1 48 064 0000 1 52 064 0000 1 55 064 0000 1 58 064 2048 0 60 000 0000 0 48 000 0000 0 52 000 0000 0 55 000 0000 0 58 000 0000 0 67 000 0000 1 76 064 1024 0 76 000 0000 1 65 064 0000 1 69 064 0000 1 72 064 0000 1 77 064 2048 0 65 000 0000 0 69 000 0000 0 72 000 0000 0 77 000 0000 1 77 064 1024 0 77 000 0000 1 65 064 0000 1 68 064 0000 1 74 064 0000 1 72 064 0000 1 77 064 2048 0 65 000 0000 0 68 000 0000 0 74 000 0000 0 72 000 0000 0 77 000 0000 1 77 064 1024 0 77 000 0000 1 60 064 0000 1 64 064 0000 1 67 064 0000 1 79 064 2048 0 60 000 0000 0 64 000 0000 0 67 000 0000 0 79 000 0000 1 76 064 1024 0 76 000 0000 1 69 064 0000 1 57 064 0000 1 60 064 0000 1 64 064 0000 1 67 064 2048 0 69 000 0000 0 57 000 0000 0 60 000 0000 0 64 000 0000 0 67 000 0000 1 76 064 0512 0 76 000 0000 1 77 064 0512 0 77 000 0000 1 60 064 0000 1 64 064 0000 1 67 064 0000 1 79 064 2048 0 60 000 0000 0 64 000 0000 0 67 000 0000 0 79 000 0000 1 76 064 1024 0 76 000 0000 1 67 064 0000 1 55 064 0000 1 59 064 0000 1 62 064 0000 1 65 064 0000 1 74 064 2048 0 67 000 0000 0 55 000 0000 0 59 000 0000 0 62 000 0000 0 65 000 0000 0 74 000 0000 1 76 064 0512 0 76 000 0000 1 74 064 0512 0 74 000 0000 1 60 064 0000 1 64 064 0000 1 67 064 0000 1 72 064 3072 0 60 000 0000 0 64 000 0000 0 67 000 2048 0 72 000 0000 1 72 064 1024 0 72 000 0000 1 60 064 0000 1 64 064 0000 1 67 064 0000 1 76 064 2048 0 60 000 0000 0 64 000 0000 0 67 000 0512 0 76 000 0000 1 72 064 0512 0 72 000 0000 1 64 064 0000 1 52 064 0000 1 55 064 0000 1 59 064 0000 1 76 064 2048 0 64 000 0000 0 52 000 0000 0 55 000 0000 0 59 000 0512 0 76 000 0000 1 72 064 0512 0 72 000 0000 1 69 064 0000 1 57 064 0000 1 60 064 0000 1 64 064 0000 1 76 064 2048 0 69 000 0000 0 57 000 0000 0 60 000 0000 0 64 000 0512 0 76 000 0000 1 72 064 0512 0 72 000 0000 1 60 064 0000 1 64 064 0000 1 67 064 0000 1 67 064 2048 0 60 000 0000 0 64 000 0000 0 67 000 0000 0 67 000 0000 1 72 064 1024 0 72 000 0000 1 76 064 2560 0 76 000 0000 1 72 064 0512 0 72 000 0000 1 76 064 2560 0 76 000 0000 1 72 064 0512 0 72 000 0000 1 67 064 3072 1 60 064 0000 1 48 064 0000 1 52 064 0000 1 55 064 0000 1 58 064 2048 0 60 000 0000 0 48 000 0000 0 52 000 0000 0 55 000 0000 0 58 000 0000 0 67 000 0000 1 76 064 1024 0 76 000 0000 1 65 064 0000 1 69 064 0000 1 72 064 0000 1 77 064 2048 0 65 000 0000 0 69 000 0000 0 72 000 0000 0 77 000 0000 1 77 064 1024 0 77 000 0000 1 77 064 2048 0 77 000 0000 1 77 064 1024 0 77 000 0000 1 60 064 0000 1 64 064 0000 1 67 064 0000 1 79 064 2048 0 60 000 0000 0 64 000 0000 0 67 000 0000 0 79 000 0000 1 76 064 1024 0 76 000 0000 1 67 064 2048 0 67 000 0000 1 76 064 0512 0 76 000 0000 1 77 064 0512 0 77 000 0000 1 79 064 2048 0 79 000 0000 1 76 064 1024 0 76 000 0000 1 67 064 0000 1 55 064 0000 1 59 064 0000 1 62 064 0000 1 65 064 0000 1 74 064 2048 0 67 000 0000 0 55 000 0000 0 59 000 0000 0 62 000 0000 0 65 000 0000 0 74 000 0000 1 76 064 0512 0 76 000 0000 1 74 064 0512 0 74 000 0000 1 60 064 0000 1 64 064 0000 1 67 064 0000 1 72 064 3072 0 60 000 0000 0 64 000 0000 0 67 000 2048 0 72 000 0000 1 72 064 0512 0 72 000 0000 1 72 064 0512 0 72 000 0000 1 60 064 0000 1 64 064 0000 1 67 064 0000 1 72 064 3072 0 60 000 0000 0 64 000 0000 0 67 000 2048 0 72 000
End

This program is worth the effort of learning it.

To download the March 10 MIDItext 98 software and get instructions on how to use it click here

ABC format:

X:1
T:Instrument 1
M:3/4
Q:1/4=96
K:F
CEGe5c|EE,G,=B,e5c|AA,CEe5c|CEGG4c2|CEGe5c|
EE,G,=B,e5c|GG,B,DFG6|CC,E,G,B,4e2|FAcf4f2|
F_Adcf4f2|CEGg4e2|AA,CEG4ef|CEGg4e2|GG,=B,DFd4ed|
CEGc6|-c4c2|CEGe5c|EE,G,=B,e5c|AA,CEe5c|CEGG4c2|
e5c|e5c|G6|CC,E,G,B,4e2|FAcf4f2|f4f2|CEGg4e2|
G4ef|g4e2|GG,=B,DFd4ed|CEGc6|-c4cc|CEGc6|
-c4||

Subject: Lyr Add: MILWAUKEE/ST. PAUL (Jerry Rasmussen)
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 23 Oct 01 - 09:08 PM

Milwaukee/St. Paul
(Jerry Rasmussen)

Walking down the tracks on a dusty day
With the long steel rails so shiny
Now they tore the railroad depot down
And the tracks have all gone rusty

Fishing off the edge of a railroad bridge
You canf feel those steel rails humming
Better put your bait and your bucket down
'cause the train will soon be coming

All you got to do is to walk those ties
And they're bound to lead you to the country
Lie on your back in the tall, sweet grass
Or you can take your dog and go hunting

I could sit and watch those trains all day
And the cars just keep on coming
Chicago Northwestern, Milwaukee St. Paul
And the steel rails keep on humming

Words and music by Jerry Rasmussen

Subject: Lyr Add: RAILROAD LADY
From: harpgirl
Date: 30 Oct 01 - 11:29 AM

Railroad Lady

by (????)

She's a railroad lady, just a little bit shady
Spending her day's on the train
She's a semi-good-looker, but the fast rails, they took her
Now she's tryin', just tryin' to get home again

South station in Boston to the stockyards of Austin
From the Florida sunshine to the New Orleans rain
Now that the railpacks have taken the best tracks
She's tryin', just tryin' to get home again

* Refrain

She's a railroad lady, just a little bit shady
Spendin' her days on the train
Once a pullman car traveler, now the switchman won't have her
She's tryin', just tryin' to get home again

Once a highballing loner thought he could own her
He bought her a fur coat and a big diamond ring
But he hopped on for cold cash, left town on the Wabash
Never thinkin', never thinkin' for home way back then

Now the rails are all rusty and the dining car's dusty
Gold plated watches have taken their toll
Railroads are dying and the lady is crying
On a bus to Kentucky and home that's her goal

* Refrain


This is one of my favorite train songs and I didn't see it in the thread. Hope I didn't miss it! harpgirl

Subject: RE: BS: Train Songs
From: harpgirl
Date: 30 Oct 01 - 10:28 PM

...oh and I sing "But she hocked them for cold cash", left town on the Wabash. Made more sense to me....hg

Subject: RE: BS: Train Songs
From: Art Thieme
Date: 01 Nov 01 - 01:35 AM

Sorcha,

I have always sung it as----------

The clickety sound of the southbound freight,
The high speed hum of the passenger train,
They're part of the heart and the soul soul and the mind
Of the boy whose raised by the railroad line.

That's how I heard it...

Great song.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: BS: Train Songs
From: Art Thieme
Date: 01 Nov 01 - 03:01 PM

(only one "soul")

Art

Subject: RE: BS: Train Songs
From: GUEST,Warren
Date: 05 Nov 02 - 01:27 PM

Don't forget Steve Fromholz, "Texas Trilogy," the middle section of which is "Train Ride."

Texas Trilogy, Steve Fromholz

Subject: RE: Train Songs
From: GUEST,dLakota
Date: 14 Nov 02 - 09:46 AM

I'm looking for the lyrics to a song that starts "Silver Rails rolling down(round) the track.... like a ribbon in the wind..." A group used to sing it at the park by the Santa Fe Station in Lamy, NM when I lived there. Thanks for Freight Train. I met Elizabeth Cotton twenty some years ago. What a sweet, gentle sparkler!

Subject: Lyr Add: NOT JUST A TRAIN (Kelly/Mann)
From: GUEST
Date: 17 May 03 - 04:33 PM

Spirit of the West's "Not Just a Train":

NOT JUST A TRAIN
Geoffrey Kelly/John Mann 1989

I can strum a little; I can hold a chord
This ain't the gospel and I ain't the Lord
I'm no holy roller, but for what it's worth
My freedom's a train ride to Heaven on Earth

It's not just a train
It's saying goodbye
Saying hello
To where we have been
Where we might go
What we have passed
What we might see
It's not just a train
It's freedom to me

Kids flatt'nin' pennies, as the iron horse rolls by
Between the trains I see an old man, a face full of smiles
A young woman crying as her lover leaves
Gun on his shoulder and stripes on his sleeve

It's not just a train
It's saying goodbye
Saying hello
To where we have been
Where we might go
Places we've passed
Places we'll see
It's not just a train
It's freedom to me

Through a crack in the the slats, a harvest moon shines
On Harper Lee's pages, I turn to kill time
The car toads are waiting for me at the station
To give a bum's rush to a frost bitten `bo

It's not just a train
It's saying goodbye
Saying hello
To where we have been
And where we might go
People we've passed
People we'll see
It's not just a train
It's freedom to me
Freedom to me
Freedom to me
Freedom...

Subject: RE: Train Songs
From: GUEST
Date: 17 May 03 - 04:35 PM

A couple of Lightfoot classics: "Steel Rail Blues" and "Canadian Railroad Trilogy"

Subject: RE: Train Songs
From: Gareth
Date: 17 May 03 - 07:36 PM

Mmmmmn !

Try this thread for the words of Dave Goulders " The Day we ran away ". Click 'Ere Superb Song !!!!! (and see the last part of this post for a story).

And I am a tad suprised that McColl's "The Ballad of John Axon" has not had a mention. Now as an Ex(?) Anorak this thread raises the subject and also includes Bob Bolton's (AUS) and Wolfgang's (Germany) supperb transcription of the key song theme in "The Ballard of John Axon" < a href="http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=52629"> Click 'Ere

BTW My Hornby model has been dismantled, cleaned of all old paint, and I am know getting on with the super detailing. It will require a "Fowler" 3500 gallon tender rather tha the "Stanier" 4000 gallon curverd side tender supplied by Hornby, but these are obtainable in the second hand shops. Then painting !!! Pictures will be posted in due time.

On railway songs --- ? Cosher Bailey anyone ???

Now a little bit of digression on "The day we ran away". And this might give its age away. Once upon a time there was a Coal Field in Kent(UK) Coal was shipped from it in standard - unbraked - 16 and 20 ton wagons. The only breaking force was the breaks on the locomotive, and the van at the back (USA = Caboose).

Now one dark night (thank God) A Coal Train out of Snowden Colliery (Kent) lost- due to a technical problem, the locomotive break (on a type 71 Electric Loco) comming down the bank (USA=Grade) from Selling - 700 tons of Coal took charge. Fortunnately it was late at night and the signalman at Faversham was able to give a clear run, once he realised there was a problem. It took the crew anothe 7 to 8 mile to regain control using the hand break and the rising bank at Teynham. Now the "second man" (= Drivers assistant) was a folky, and aquaintance of mine. Two weeks later he walked into the Faversham Folk Club in the "Chimney Boy"(??) to be greeted by a rendering of "The day we ran away". He did not see the funny side. As he said later " God knows what was in front of us, and we had a full load behind, they'd have sacked us if we'd jumped, and survived - and that **** thinks it was funny !!!"

I can see his point.

Gareth

Subject: RE: Train Songs
From: Gareth
Date: 17 May 03 - 07:45 PM

Oh "B****r" Click 'Ere for the Axon thread

Gareth

Subject: RE: Train Songs
From: GUEST, GEST
Date: 18 May 03 - 11:47 AM

Some Newfoundland train songs, just to help this short thread along. :-)

The Newfie Bullet

Memories Of The Newfie Bullet

The Engineer's Song

Waiting At Gambo Station

Subject: RE: Train Songs
From: delphinium
Date: 18 May 03 - 10:50 PM

Eileen McGann has a good song about the importance of the railway in Canada - "Rolling Home Canadian" on her Journeys album (1995). The chorus goes:

Rollin', rollin',
Rollin' home,
As long as I can hear the train
I know I'm not alone.
Stitching up this country
Between my family and me,
The railway ties are ties that bind,
From sea to sea to sea.

(The Journeys album also has a song called "Another Train" - which is not about a train.)

Subject: RE: Train Songs
From: Merritt
Date: 19 May 03 - 08:58 AM

What a great thread!

Train Whistle Blues - Jimmie Rodgers (circa 1930)

On the Atchison, Topeka & the Santa Fe - Johnny Mercer (1945) - this was a hit in '45!

People Get Ready - "don't need no ticket, you just thank the Lord.."

Working on the Railroad - used to play this in an instrumental duo; works really well as a funky, alternating bass fingerstyle sort of song

The Train That Carried My Girl From Town - not sure who wrote; probably late 1920s; Mike Dowling does on his Beats Working album

- Merritt

Subject: RE: Train Songs
From: smokeyjoe
Date: 19 May 03 - 11:24 AM

SINGING STEEL RAILS
Well I stood at the side of the railroad line
just waitin' for an eastbound train
I heard a mighty roar and I knew for sure
I was on my way again
(cho.)
I don't know just where I'm bound, I only know where I've been
I can't seem to settle down, The road's my only friend

Well I climbed aboard an old boxcar, and I watched the world pass by
And I thought about my one true love, the one I left behind.
(cho.)
Well I think I'll ride this old freight train, just to see where it will go
And I hope the singin' silver rails will ease my troubles so....
(cho.)

-one of mine.

A couple of others that I love to play:
Boomer's Story -Ry Cooder
Hobo's Lullabye -various
Anniversary Blue Yodel (among many) -Jimmie Rogers

-smokeyjoe; railfan, muscician, etc.

Subject: RE: Train Songs
From: fsharpdim7
Date: 19 May 03 - 11:57 AM

Thinking about Johnny Cash and hoping he's doing ok - IMHO, his best train song was on Marty Stuart's cd, he did "One Last Ride," and Doc and Marty did the breaks - I don't think it gets any better.
Also, I think the Carter family book says that AP was walking along and he heard Sara singing "Engine 143" - he followed the sound to her door - and the rest, as they say, is history. Shame they just were not more suited to each other in other ways.
Chris

Subject: RE: Train Songs
From: Phot
Date: 19 May 03 - 03:25 PM

The best railway tune I know is a King or a Castle,13 on,full chat up Wellington bank!,..Bliss

Subject: RE: Train Songs
From: denise:^)
Date: 19 May 03 - 04:57 PM

"Jenny Dreamed of Trains," written by Guy Clark and Vince Gill, has been recorded several times, and is a fairly 'recent' train song.

Denise:^)

Subject: RE: Train Songs
From: Mark Ross
Date: 19 May 03 - 06:01 PM

THE TRAIN THAT CARRIED MY GIRL FROM TOWN is by Frank Hutchison of West Virginia.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Train Songs
From: Gareth
Date: 19 May 03 - 06:45 PM

Mmmmm ! Phot I am old enuf to remember the 9F's on the Ebbw Vale iron ore trains, or a 28XX up the bank from Pontypool - Man that was 2 cylinder heavy metal.

Gareth - Ah! Gods Wonderful Railway. !

Subject: RE: Train Songs
From: Phot
Date: 20 May 03 - 01:27 AM

Gareth, i can only agree, and talking of heavy metal, Saxon, Princess of the night, its all about a 9F!

Subject: RE: Train Songs
From: Li'l Aussie Bleeder
Date: 20 May 03 - 03:02 AM

I 'm having a vague day. To the best of my recollection, i think 'people get ready' was Angel Train. And did The Seekers do one called 'Morningtown Ride"
L

Subject: RE: Train Songs
From: Phot
Date: 24 May 03 - 12:19 PM

Li'l Aussie Bleeder, yes The Seekers did do Morningtown Ride. I have very bad recollections of it!!   

Just ask the Christmas tree!!

Subject: Lyr Add: RAILWAY WIDOW'S BLUES (John Warner)
From: GUEST,Anne/NZ
Date: 25 May 03 - 04:08 AM

I have to add this Australian song! I perform it regularly at our folk club. This song is a railroad tune from a woman's perspective:

RAILWAY WIDOW'S BLUES
Written by John Warner. Sung by Margaret Walters on 'Trains of Treasure'. (A web search will easily find their web page.) They do a number of railroad tunes, including "Kaikoura Railway Memorial" about constructing the Picton to Christchurch line in New Zealand.

Come, all you women; hear me complain.
Don't mix with a man who drives a train,
Or you'll be sorry; you’ll be blue
Every time a train goes through.

You pack his crib the night before.
He's up and eating at half past four.
It's still pitch dark when he shuts the door,
And you hear his train go through.

Many the night you lie and dream
Of how you and him could raise some steam
Shunting and coupling to and fro;
Pull the regulator till the steam valves blow.

But you're all alone at the break of day,
With your man two hundred miles away.
It's a barrack shift, so he's bound to stay
Till another train goes through.

The right-of-way's just out the back,
Where the coal train garage rumbles off the track,
Droppin' soot and cinders till your washing’s black,
Every time the train goes through.

That man of mine, he's proud and tall;
Moves his body like a cannonball,
But he’s off before dawn at the shift boy's call,
And another train goes through.

Oh, he'll be back in another day,
But you can't build dreams on a hogger's pay.
When he's back home, a girl could weep.
It's food and bath and twelve hour sleeps.

So come, all you women; hear me complain.
Don't mess with those fellows who drive the train.
You'll be so sorry; you'll be blue,
Every time a train goes through,
Every time a train goes through.

Subject: RE: Train Songs
From: denise:^)
Date: 16 Jun 03 - 12:09 PM

"Morningtown Ride" is a very nice children's song written by Malvina Reynolds. I believe they have it listed under "lullabies" in Rise Up Singing, but I know they don't have it with the exact lyrics I learned as a child. It has also been made into a picture book.

I don't think it was ever really intended to entertain adults--although the Irish Rovers covered it, too...

Denise:^)

Subject: RE: Train Songs
From: GUEST,Jazzyjack
Date: 16 Jun 03 - 01:09 PM

Presently ,my favourite song to play is Stephen Fearing's " On The Great Divide " with great backup harmony from Jonelle Mosser. : hook " It's a long train and everybody has to ride "

Subject: Lyr Add: THE LAST TRAIN - Harvey Andrews
From: harvey andrews
Date: 16 Jun 03 - 02:56 PM

THE LAST TRAIN

It was the last train of the evening.
The sun was setting low
As we pulled out of the station.
I glanced up to see its glow,
In the window a reflection
Of a face I used to know,
In an old life, in a young life,
We both lived so long ago.

She could dance from dusk till dawning.
She could twist and shout with joy,
And I was hers forever, her first and only boy.
But in that old life, in that young life,
I was far too smart to know
That the one regret I'd harbour yet
Was that I let her go.

She was reading as I watched her
Till she turned another page.
From the lines upon her face now,
You could never tell her age.
But I knew I looked so different,
Time just hadn't been that kind.
On my face were etched the failures
Of the life I'd left behind.

As we slowed, she closed her novel,
Stood to take her suitcase down,
Turned and paused and stared at me,
Then, shadowed by a frown,
Shook her head, took her case, moved towards the door,
Another time, another place,
But leaving me once more.
It was the last train of the evening...

Subject: RE: Train Songs
From: mg
Date: 16 Jun 03 - 11:09 PM

anyone mention Danville Girl????? I haven't been back through the whole thread...

I am tryi8ng to remember the words to an Ian Tyson song..lonely girls linger by the door..can't remember if it has trains in it or not..

mg

Subject: RE: Train Songs
From: Frankham
Date: 17 Jun 03 - 11:57 AM

There are so many. Not many know that the boogie-woogie style of piano playing came from the southwest by itinerant blues piano players emulating the sounds of the fast trains highballing by. They called it "fast Western". Weseley Wallace recorded Train 29 (?), the first boogie-woogie recording on the piano depicting a train ride he had.

Traditional train songs include:
Jay Gould's Daughter- Carl Sandburg's American Songbag
Casey Jones by a wheel-house workman, Saunders who was reputed to write the original
Way Out West, a pop country song of the thirties
All Around the Watertank by the singing brakeman, Jimmy Rogers,
900 Miles, Train 45 and Old Rueben (all related)
Train on the Island from Anthology of American Folk Music, Harry Smith ed. on Folkways
The Train That Took My Gal From Town recorded by Frank Hutchinson,
See Eloise Go Linin' Track (chain gang song)
In the Pines
Jerry Go and Ile That Car...Carl Sandburg, American Songbag
Mormon Railway (Hoorah, Hooray)...Sam Hinton
Variations of John Henry
The Hellbound Train.... sung by Glenn Ohrlin
Hedy West's rewrite on 500 Miles
Thought I Heard That Katy When She Blows...Anthology...Harry Smith
There's plenty more.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: Train Songs
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Sep 04 - 12:33 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Train Songs
From: Ron Davies
Date: 15 Sep 04 - 06:56 AM

Admittedly the songs he plays are by definition pre-1976 ( he calls his show The Obsolete Music Hour) but Dick Spottswood (WAMU public radio) plays 2 solid hours of nothing but train songs once a year. It used to be 3 hours, when his show was 3 hours long. Now he talks about how he has to leave so many out. What he plays the rest of the year is also great.

Subject: RE: Train Songs
From: Fred (Beetle) Bailey
Date: 15 Sep 04 - 11:13 AM

Magnificent thread! Since the original post solicited recent songs, how 'bout some help/comment/criticism
(pm or otherwise) (or maybe even a title?)
for a (c) work in progress?

Did 'ja hear my daddy was an engineer
Down the Eastern Seaboard Line
Smoke and steam and a Georgia Dream
And a baby got left behind
When he went through -- and the whistle blew

My momma she went to cookin' and we
Moved further down the track
In the smoke and damp of the labor camps
And we never did look back
'Til she was gone -- and I went on

Well, I headed west in the summer time
Gonna see if I could find my way
Through the B & O and the U.P.,
Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe
And the Burlington -- and the Erie Lackawana

When I'm laying awake at midnight
I hear the lonesome sound
One 'a these days it'll get in my ear
And I'm gonna blow this town
Go back out -- to where I been
   
      (or maybe alternatively??)

Laying awake at midnight
I can hear that lonesome song
You wake up alone some morning, baby
Then you'll know that I'll be gone
But won't you please think well of me

Now when I'm through my ramblin'
I wouldn't want anybody sad
Just tell all my good-time friends
It was a pleasure being had
But when I'm gone -- party on!

(call me old enough to remember the sound of a Santa Fe coal-burner steaming through town on a summer's night)

Subject: RE: Train Songs
From: Tannywheeler
Date: 15 Sep 04 - 06:49 PM

Hally used to sing a song that started:
    "Trouble in mind -- I'm blue
    But I won't be blue always"...
that had a "Train" verse in it:
    "I'm gonna lay my head
      On some lonesome railroad line
      And let the (train time here) come on and
      Satisfy my mind."
Makes me shiver.

Went through this thread, didn't see (might have missed) mention of Roy Acuff's "Take That Night Train to Memphis". Mother liked Roy Acuff.

    ..."Amd we'll have a JUBILEE
       Down in Memphis, Tennessee,
       And we'll shout HALLELUJAH all the way!"
Amen.   Tw

Subject: RE: Train Songs
From: mandotim
Date: 15 Sep 04 - 07:04 PM

How about 'Travelling by Steam' by Huw and Tony Williams? Covered by Fairport on Jewel in the Crown.

Subject: RE: Train Songs
From: Francy
Date: 15 Sep 04 - 07:18 PM

I'm presenting a concert in Toledo, Ooregon this Friday, September 17th called "
When Steam Was King" w/ Larry Penn from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Mark Dvorak from Chicagwe, Illinois.......the story of railroad in song and story.........Larry is a fine writer and a member of the Rose Tattoo and Mark is a fine singer, banjo picker and guitarist who also is a member of Weavermania.....
Frank of Toledo

Subject: RE: Train Songs
From: Ron Davies
Date: 15 Sep 04 - 10:31 PM

Beetle-

Song sounds really promising. Solidly in the tradition of lots of good old train songs.

Curious about your rhyme scheme

Verses 1 and 2--internal rhyme in line 3 of each

e.g Smoke and steam and a Georgia dream
       In the smoke and damp of the labor camps

but then the internal rhyme drops out. I think internal rhyme is great for this sort of song--is it possible you could carry it on through the rest of the song (3rd lines)?

Love to hear the melody.


The last words "party on" would probably not be in a traditional song. Depends on what your goal is--if traditional sound is not important, it's no problem.

My hat's off to anybody who can write a traditional-sounding song-----congratulations!

Subject: Lyr Add: Train songs lyrics link
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Jun 05 - 05:50 AM

http://www.able2know.com/forums/about1143-0-asc-0.html

Subject: RE: Train Songs
From: GUEST,Box Car
Date: 05 Jul 05 - 06:36 PM

Songs about Trains and Trains in Songs

Subject: RE: Train Songs
From: SINSULL
Date: 05 Jul 05 - 10:23 PM

Lin from Kansas: Nope
Snippets from memory:

Just a kid acting smart
I nearly broke my darlin's heart
I guess I was too young to know.
They put me on the Georgis train
Tied me to a ball and chain.
I heard that lonesome whistle blow.

And my hair is white as the snow.
I'll never see that gal of mine
Lord, I'm in Georgia doing time.
I heard that lonesome whistle blow.

Subject: Lyr Add: FAST FREIGHT
From: GUEST,Hanrod
Date: 06 Jul 05 - 06:35 PM

Well, no one has mentioned this, so I will mention my favorite train song, trying for (some of) the lyrics from memory -- don't know who wrote it, but from an old Kingston Trio album 30 years or so ago, with some great words, interesting collateral "train sounding" phrases and haunting, minor key, stuff...

FAST FREIGHT

As I lie awake and listen, as I lie awake and wait
I wish the railroad didn't run so near;
'Cause the rattle and the clatter of that old fast freight
Keeps a makin' music in my ear...

Go bum again, go bum again;
Well, clickety-clack 'n' clickety-clack
The wheels are sayin' to the railroad track
Well if ya go ya' can't come back,
If ya' go ya' can't come back,
If ya go-o-o-o...ya' can't come back.

Well I wouldn't give a nickel for the bum I used to be
I work as hard as any man in town;
And I got a pretty girl and she thinks the world of me -
A man 'd be a fool to let 'er down...

CHORUS (above)...

...and other verses I can't remember. Look it up, it's worth it!

... even wrote my own (not exactly) train song lyrics, an interminably long piece that attempts to recount the history of black men in all the wars of this Country's history:

TRAIN RIDE WITH ZACK

Last night was thinkin' back to when, I met a black man on the train;
In sixty-one, was discharged then, so I missed Vietnam.
Old man said his name was Zack, had a bottle in a paper sack;
He drank and passed the bottle back; I drank and did the same.

We're standin' in the vestibule, between the cars the air was cool;
The bottleneck, this fussy fool, I wiped before I drank.
He said 'young soldier what's yer name - this whiskey kills the germs my friend;
I drank and swallowed down my shame, and said my name was...Frank.

When we're young, we're inclined to be shallow,
When we're old, we're inclined to be sad;
But when I think back to my train ride with Zack,
I just think of the blessings I've had.

I wore my proud-pressed uniform, those three red stripes there on my arm;
My single ribbon meant no harm - to their side nor to ours.
Looked like a while since he'd last slept, red eyes kept shifting right and left,
An old cut creased his forehead cleft – a scarecrow man of scars.

He said 'I'm AWOL from your war', I choked a laugh and swallowed hard,
What would war want this old man for? - He said 'I've seen 'em all'.
'I fought in revolution days, the Colonel too, I was his slave;
I heard the orders that he gave; he heard his country's call'.

'Then In '04 my name was 'York', with Lewis, slave to Captain Clark.
Across the wild and wasteful stark Great Plains and mountains too.
We journeyed up the Missouri, fought Mandan, Sioux and 'Ricaree,
Wild animals you'll never see, exceptin' at the zoo.'

'In sixty-two I ran away, I knew there would be Hell to pay,
And so I fought against the gray, a black man wearin' blue.
Your President then freed the slaves, and I gave thanks to 'Honest Abe',
But hunger took what freedom gave, some said 'twas over due.'

'So when I was free to come or go I soldiered with the Buffalo,
We did your dirty work, you know, did what we had to do.
Fought the western tribes of Indians, as they made their final stands;
So many killed to win these lands - but Little Big Horns too.'

'In Cuba then in ninety-eight, of course the troop transport was late;
That summer heat I learned to hate, for Teddy and for you.
Up San Juan Hill and El Caney, the 9th and 10th black cavalry
Our officers were white, but see, they died like black men too.

The Western front in World War One, I carried shells for allied guns;
I fell and thought my fightin's done, but it was not to be.
The Arizona, World War Two, to be a mess-man was my due.
I never heard the bomb that blew me out into the sea.

'Korean War was just too cold, by this time I was gettin' old;
But equal treatment had me sold, five thousand black men died.
Well, I can see it on your face, you 'spect I am a mental case;
And Hell, I guess I know my place, I guess you think I lied.'

I woke next morning down the line; asked every one I tried to find
Him; 'hair of dog' was on my mind – no one knew who I meant.
Well now I'm old, so long in tooth, I think I know the real truth;
To shame my pride, my callow youth, old Zack was heaven sent.

When we're young, we're inclined to be shallow,
When we're old, we're inclined to be sad;
But when I think back to my train ride with Zack
I just think of the blessings I've had.

Last night was thinkin' back to when, I met a black man on the train;
'Twas in the year of sixty-one … can't be … that young … again…

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