Magnificent. The line "And the sons of Pullman porters, and the sons of engineers, ride their fathers' magic carpets made of steel" is worthy of Shakespeare.
Not really. But I love this song. I am a Brit who never been near America, but when I hear this song, I see all the America we have been sold. Plus I love trains. I could write a song about a train through Britain, but it would not have the romance of this.
@@hogwashmcturnip8930 All along the southbound odysee , she got me off in ecstasy, as we rode along through home farms an fields, passing towns that have no names, freight yards full of working men, oh what she did to me with her high heels... yup the romance of the railz
One outstanding video to boot!! Represents the feel of the tracks and the people who still enjoy taking some time to relate to those others on the trains. We're going to miss them if they leave forever. Take an Amtrak if you care to really see this great country we call America! It's worth a couple of extra bucks.
I'm a railway worker with 43 years service in Ireland working out of Kent Station Cork. This is a great song and is applicable to all Railway men everywhere.
2 Thumbs up on that, a very nice attitude for anyone working with the steel ribbons, the signals, maintenance of way, engines and rolling stock a great industry and career.
My grandfather was a conductor for the B&O out of Baltimore. Didn't know him well. I was barely 8 when he passed. But after my dad also left us... I found all my Granddad's railroad pins with the last being for 60 years of service.
Bless your heart, Sir. I just read about CN shutting down service due to the 'protesters' - it makes my blood boil! Your service is appreciated....sign me, Just a railfan in Phoenix, AZ
@@jessstone7211 I'm in agreement with you Sir. I'm sick and tired of all the protesters who are trying to shift this great Republic further to the left and socialism. I love this song being sung by Arlo Guthrie. To my way of thinking, his is the best version.
The US is the leading contributor to global warming, along with China and India, and people like you just want to turn a blind eye. When the big waves hit, they won't just take out the oil and coal companies. They'll take everyone. I don't believe in protests, or socialism. I believe in social democracy. But the US does allow freedom of speech. And we DO need to shift away from fossil fuels.
Oops, I'm not practicing what I'm preaching, by being somehow confrontational. I know there are so many layers of reasoning we don't see, clearly. All of us. I guess it's the urgency and complexity of today's world. I'm no expert, but from what I've gathered, this particular global warming cycle has many sources. It's the total effect from methane gas, to hydrocarbons, to CO2, and generally all the combined industrial and personal pollution in the air and water over the past 100-150 years. This warming cycle has warmed the Earth's surface as much in the past 130 years than any of the previous warming cycles, which took 10-20,000 years. Back then, it was just natural CO2 emissions from animals, I guess. Not too much. The Earth was actually beginning a longer 100,000 year cooling trend, when industry reversed the cooling- to warming temps. We're technically in a long cooling cycle. It looks like the pollutants are beating out the further orbiting away from the sun.
Can you tell me how the new PTC system is going? I took the Amtrak from Martinez, Ca to Tacoma, Wa., and it was a beautiful trip! It's so fun. Meeting folks on the train and looking at scenery. And I've had some shorter trips up here in Washington, but there was a derailment in 2017, south of Tacoma. Three passengers were killed, and many injured. The train was going three times the speed limit, which the conductor didn't see. I know the odds of dying in a train wreck are around 500,000 to one. I'm not sure if all Amtrak routes have the PTC controls, or any ATC controls. I saw one report that said the program was to be in effect by 2019. I hope so, because depending on conductors seeing the speed limit signs doesn't thrill me, as a passenger.
I dont know if anyone will actually read my comment so far down the line but this song has always been special to me. My grandfather was a Gandy Dancer for Pennsylvania RailRoad, he even got to see the Hindenburg crash while working one day. He was a small man at only 5'3" but could drive a spike in only 3 swings. I never got to meet him but this song makes me feel a special connection to him somehow. Great video.
Two "connects." Lived in New Orleans (a "local," but not my main house) for a bit a few years ago. Also, tested some military radios (as a contractor) on the very spot of the Hindenburg crash (by surprise as I did it!) prior to the NOLA stay. All the best!
My father in law worked for the railroads his whole life. He died about 5 years.ago.Because of his condition he was in a home the last year of his life. My wife sensed he would not make it thru the night so my son, my wife and I stayed with him.He was totally unresponsive the last few hours. My wife played religious songs for him. Somehow I remembered he really liked this song.We found it on google and played it for him. Halfway through the song he turned his his head and tried to sing the the song with us. He dies a few minutes later. I still get tears in my eyes when I hear this song
I am an adopted son of America 🇺🇸 for the last 55 years. I miss fifties, sixties, and seventies music, among other things. Most of all, I miss my youth, good health and all that goes along with it. I am just glad 😊that I got to live a good and fulfilling life in my adopted country, good old U S of A❗️
I'm not an American and my native language isn't even English, but I've visited the United States 11 times, ( between 1996 to 2020 ), and I can totally understand your feelings. I only have good memories of the American people and situations I encountered there. I'm 71 and widowed for ten years now, but I plan to visit the U.S. again in 2025 and I'm really looking forward to it. Wishing you all the best.
😊 I know this might not be a thought u thought.... yet you did live at that time n still have you tube to revisit at your leisure 😊😮😅. I agree with your comments
@@cynthiabinder3730 So true Cynthia, I did collect my favorite music in records, then CDs, even 8 track tapes which are all sitting in boxes in my garage. I am glad to be able to watch & listen to all that music on TH-cam for sure❗️
@@frequentvisitor4405 Dear @frequentvisitor4405, thank you for YOUR nice comment. Yes, all the Americans I met were very nice to me and I think, not just because I'm an older lady, (LOL). I always travel alone since my husband died and I love the endless freedom and the challenge of being responsible only for myself....and I love planning and learning something new....Why not have a ride with the "City of New Orleans" train ? You gave me the inspiration for this ... Thank you and all the best for you.
This song is Americana at its best. I always tear up when I listen to it. A once proud and busy railroad, dwindling down to bankruptcy. Passenger numbers fell beneath the floor due to air travel. No one wanted to ride old, worn out coaches for a day when a jet could get you there in hours. People in a hurry and not pausing to appreciate everything around you. The ICC killed the railroads with rules written in the 1880’s that desperately needed updating. By the time Jimmy Carter stepped in, it was too late. Many of these classic lines were destitute with no money to repair decades of abuse. Very sad.
Back in the mid 80's I took the Lakeshore limited outa Boston,Mass to Chicago to go to a model train meet. Yeah trains I love'em, one sees more of America that way
SAD AND Memorable; makes it tolerable, yes ? May, 2023; Many of us are coming back to LISTEN to that 'song that never dies!" Having been born in the city of Rock Island, when we used to sing this song, we'd substitute the city "Ke-Wan-ee" for Kankakee ha ha. We rode the Burlington back then, and had to drive to Galesburg to get it, to travel to California. Surely we, myself and some of my classmates from Moline High School sang this for hours, as one of our hootenanny favorites. (Jim Anderson? Where are you now ?) And Jack Petit, our class president DROVE us to Galesburg! Yes, the Rock Island Lines were a pretty good line , too! My grandfather was an engineer , I think on the Rock Island Lines---He' drove it from a little town titled " Barstow/or Joslin" guess they re-named it Like to know from an commenters, if they'd ever heard of that little country town, near Geneseo? I used to have a "continual debate" with my college roommate who was a artist; The question, " Which lasts longer, a painting, or a song.?" I'm not sure to this day, who actually won the debate...but as we see painters and song-writers disappear, I think we have to admit, it' s THE SONG THAT LIVES ON. We were trying to assemble a children's musical, wherein the main character, who jumps up on stage to play her little cello with "The First Four Presidents", and one of us gave dialogue to the little player; she says to Thomas Jefferson "I Can't play this music-it's too old!" Jefferson and Washington laugh at her and shout "Honey...music doesn't grow OLD! People do! (Yes, it's a comedy!) but that line reminds me so much of THIS SONG! RIP Arlo Guthrie-and Steve Goodman, and so many others! Thank you so much for TRUTH in SONG! LyndaFaye "The Mississippi Valley Lady" the song and the musical. "Friends, Love Songs and Hearthaches@Bandcamp. LyndaFayeSmusic@Yahoo.
I know a american guy here in hamburg/germany. He arrived years ago this country and lost his two legs by an acciddent with a u-train. he walks always so so very friendly and lovely and cool with prothetic legs very slowly in the city of hamburg, years later he is afraid to go alone in the u-train underground, one day I´ll protect him and walk together with him in the underground and drove with him 3 stations near to his home, and he told me his story...not angry, no hate, only friendly , lovely, smiling, while my heart inside is breaking....so: I cried, because I had no shoes, than I met a man, who had no legs. sorry for my terrible english
Mama used to say that to me as a child. She taught me and my sisters gratitude for everything in life...never take anything or anyone for granted! Thank you for your heartwarming message!
It was my honor to have met Steve Goodman, the man who wrote this song. His passing from leukemia in 1984 silenced a wonderful voice, a talented song writer and great human. My thanks to Arlo Guthrie for bringing Steve's song to a wider audience.
This song always literally brings me to tears. It's a reminder of simple, beautiful times in our wonderful country that has sadly been divided by hatred and violence. So sad, but we're still the best country on the planet. Hope we can achieve peace and love again.
Sanford, this is a song which does remind us of simpler and happier times in this country - and I, too, hold out for the forces of peace and love to prevail, my friend.
We are the best country on the planet. But apparently, the US Women's Soccer Team doesn't think so. It is the left who are dividing the country and causing all this hate and violence.
@@gizhou3034 Stop trolling. Jim Crow was abolished well over half a century ago and since blacks have enjoyed more rights than whites in this country. You don't like it here you are free to go. Bye.
I grew up outside of NOLA, and once rode the City of New Orleans home from grad school in Chicago. This is almost certainly the greatest train song ever written.
that's pretty cool. I'm also from New Orleans but have never been on a train (except to visit). I've always taken planes. But an interesting fact is that when I was really young, I wanted to work on a train (I'm female) but people thought I was crazy. I now work as a psychotherapist but if I had the chance to do everything all over again and would have been able to work on a train, I just might have preferred to take that road in life instead. ♥
9 years retired, engineer for Conrail and Norfolk Southern. The best railroad song ever written. I could listen to it every day. 34 1/2 years in passenger and freight service.
Well God Bless You Cheeky Monkey, for being a big part of the country's history- railroad people are a special breed and we still need them. Enjoy your retirement- build a model train environment.
This song is so nostalgic. I remember being a child in the seventies, sitting on the porch step one morning listening to this song on the radio. It felt like a much simpler time.
I’m a member of a senior chorus in Ballston Spa,and to my great delight I will be soloing on this song at one of our luncheons. Our chorus director asked us to list our favorite songs and I immediately sent him this one. I will be delighted to sing it for my fellow seniors. I hope they enjoy it as much as I do. Wish me luck!! Elizabeth Delgado
590 dislikes? Are you guys effin' *CRAZY* ?!! How any sane person with half the brains God gave a squirrel, (and any sense of musical taste), can dislike this song is a mystery to me. Arlo Guthrie has (had?) more talent in his pinky fingernail than most of today's "musicians" have in their entire bodies. This song is a classic and my hat's off to the creator of this video. Tireless work and patience have paid off with one of the best videos I have seen.
There is no new music today, when Cher released Believe with autotune she unwittingly destroyed new music. That software turns 1/2 Squirrel brains into million sellers.....
God Bless You, Mr. Flanagan! We are still true Americans, and honor our past, the people before us who loved what our country stands for! Railroads built America! Best wishes to you always. Rick Dwayne Rumpff, Celina, Ohio USA.
I remember this song being played in a supermarket here in Oregon. When it came to the chorus, I could hear a lot of people softly singing along. Rest in peace Steve Goodman.
85 years later, as a small boy I can still remember laying in bed at night and waiting for the trains to go by about a mile from home, some from those lonely sounding steam whistles and later the moan of those air horns as the big diesels left for places far away, lonely sounds at night. The steam whistles are long gone, but the big diesels still send their music out over the rails. Wonderful memories.
I too was fortunate to have lived for a few years near passing railroad tracks. I could hear the faint, practically melodic sound of the horn as it disappeared into the night. For some reason, it was mesmerizing. Years later, I still miss it.
Well I have 1 of'em a Lunkenheimer 3 chimer all brass and takes an inch an a 1/4 pipe, I fired it off a boiler owned by the New England steam and wireless museum in R.I. dayum that whistle sounded good.
Well Fred, I have the whistle and the bell the bell has a pneumatic slammer in it as well as being able to pull the upper frame to ring and a Lunkenheimer 3 chime whistle I fired off the factory boiler, collecting r.r. stuff is kool.
@@mafirearmsafety Arlo told the story in a concert a few years back. Something like this. " After a concert I was sitting at the bar having a beer. A short guy came up and wanted me to listen to his song. I said I don't like songs. I don't even like my own songs. Buy me a beer and I'll listen as long as the beer lasts. The song was City of New Orleans and the guy was Steve Goodman." As close as I can remember what Arlo said. Never took credit for the song for himsellf.
In 1944 my mom rode the train all the way from Nashville, TN to San Francisco to marry my dad whose ship was docked there for a few days during the War. Can’t hear this song without thinking of that. Arlo Guthrie captures everything Steve Goodman intended to convey when he wrote it.
I am a Locomotive Engineer for Metro North in NY and God willing will retire in 4 weeks. Being an Engineer was my childhood dream. Its so true, my sons and my daughter have rode their fathers magic carpet made from steel, something they will never forget. My thanks to God for a great memorable 24 years on the rails.
God bless you and yours. I grew up living in hearing distance of the train horns and I still do; love to barely hear them in the distance and used to love to ride passenger trains, especially Amtrak's Crescent. Not sure how long they'll survive, and service has unfortunately been downgraded by management.
How can a young man get a job on the railroad my grandson is 20 and we go to video trains in fla every chance we get it would be a dream come true for him he would do any job connected to rail
Used to take the railroad from New York City back to Hartford to visit my folks when I began attending Pratt Institute in Brooklyn for my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1969. Always loved taking the train as opposed to a bus, loved the views out the windows and the sounds and motions of the ride. Best way to travel in those days. Elizabeth Delgado Art & Design
My Grandfather also worked on the St.Fe RR. He fell off the engine while signaling an on coming train. While being operated on for hip injury, his heart stopped. The Dr. Said it was like 'a bolt out of the blue'. Unknown cause. I was seven. I've never heard this song without rembering the trains whistling long while passing by the graveyard when the services were going on. In salute to him. I Love trains! That was sixty years ago this November...
My Grandpa (Frederick "Fritz" Mayer) retired from the Illinois Central Railroad after 50 years of loyal service to the IC in 1963, and later in his IC career was the locomotive engineer for the City of New Orleans for part of its route in Southern Illinois. I love your tribute here to those passionate men and women who as you so eloquently state that 'toil day and night providing safe transportation services' by rail for us. Thank you for your magnificent tribute to them.
@stefanomagaddino6868 At one time regulations for engineers were very stringent-and outdated. The were based on miles and not time. At one point, there was an equilibrium but locomotives became faster and more powerful. An engineer could produce a days work in a few hours.
@@ShelleyVideo SOME things in life should not be ALLOWED to become obsolete ! May, 2023; Many of us are coming back to LISTEN to that 'song that never dies!" Having been born in the city of Rock Island, when we used to sing this song, we'd substitute the city "Ke-Wan-ee" for Kankakee ha ha. We rode the Burlington back then, and had to drive to Galesburg to get it, to travel to California. Surely we, myself and some of my classmates from Moline High School sang this for hours, as one of our hootenanny favorites. (Jim Anderson? Where are you now ?) And Jack Petit, our class president DROVE us to Galesburg! Yes, the Rock Island Lines were a pretty good line , too! My grandfather was an engineer , I think on the Rock Island Lines---He' drove it from a little town titled " Barstow/or Joslin" guess they re-named it Like to know from an commenters, if they'd ever heard of that little country town, near Geneseo? I used to have a "continual debate" with my college roommate who was a artist; The question, " Which lasts longer, a painting, or a song.?" I'm not sure to this day, who actually won the debate...but as we see painters and song-writers disappear, I think we have to admit, it' s THE SONG THAT LIVES ON. We were trying to assemble a children's musical, wherein the main character, who jumps up on stage to play her little cello with "The First Four Presidents", and one of us gave dialogue to the little player; she says to Thomas Jefferson "I Can't play this music-it's too old!" Jefferson and Washington laugh at her and shout "Honey...music doesn't grow OLD! People do! (Yes, it's a comedy!) but that line reminds me so much of THIS SONG! RIP Arlo Guthrie-and Steve Goodman, and so many others! Thank you so much for TRUTH in SONG! LyndaFaye "The Mississippi Valley Lady" the song and the musical. "Friends, Love Songs and Hearthaches@Bandcamp. LyndaFayeSmusic@Yahoo.
Never been on a long distance train ride which I know have much better sleeping arrangements for those long rides than Greyhound which was one mode of traveling that was more familiar to me.
SOME things in life should not be ALLOWED to become obsolete ! May, 2023; Many of us are coming back to LISTEN to that 'song that never dies!" Having been born in the city of Rock Island, when we used to sing this song, we'd substitute the city "Ke-Wan-ee" for Kankakee ha ha. We rode the Burlington back then, and had to drive to Galesburg to get it, to travel to California. Surely we, myself and some of my classmates from Moline High School sang this for hours, as one of our hootenanny favorites. (Jim Anderson? Where are you now ?) And Jack Petit, our class president DROVE us to Galesburg! Yes, the Rock Island Lines were a pretty good line , too! My grandfather was an engineer , I think on the Rock Island Lines---He' drove it from a little town titled " Barstow/or Joslin" guess they re-named it Like to know from an commenters, if they'd ever heard of that little country town, near Geneseo? I used to have a "continual debate" with my college roommate who was a artist; The question, " Which lasts longer, a painting, or a song.?" I'm not sure to this day, who actually won the debate...but as we see painters and song-writers disappear, I think we have to admit, it' s THE SONG THAT LIVES ON. We were trying to assemble a children's musical, wherein the main character, who jumps up on stage to play her little cello with "The First Four Presidents", and one of us gave dialogue to the little player; she says to Thomas Jefferson "I Can't play this music-it's too old!" Jefferson and Washington laugh at her and shout "Honey...music doesn't grow OLD! People do! (Yes, it's a comedy!) but that line reminds me so much of THIS SONG! RIP Arlo Guthrie-and Steve Goodman, and so many others! Thank you so much for TRUTH in SONG! LyndaFaye "The Mississippi Valley Lady" the song and the musical. "Friends, Love Songs and Hearthaches@Bandcamp. LyndaFayeSmusic@Yahoo.
This song paints such a beautiful picture. I introduced this song to my kids and they all love it. I know they will pass this song along to their kids. Thats what folk music does. :)
Generic old dude TH-cam comment No 26485. How about "This song is so underrated"? Were you gonna do that one next? It drives me nuts that people refuse to find good music. That's the only thing that "once" was different. You used to get the good stuff preselected and served up without having to look for it. In TH-cam commenting AND music consumption: Don't be so lazy.
It's hard to grasp how I feel listening to this. .. It connects me to the ground under my feet, the people around me, and the land I live in. Don't keep your head down on your cellphone. This world still has a lot of beauty you'll miss out on.
My maternal great-grandfather, Clarence Scott, was train engineer for the Pennsylvania Railroad during the early 20th Century. In the video it was nice to see the train engineer driving the train; it gave me an idea what my grandfather did on the railroad.
Once more my heart sheds tears. But I am so happy with my memories. At 77 I am ready to finish this journey. Thank you. May you and yours stay well and prosper.
My grandfather, William McGuire, was a cook on the Illinois Central Railroad. I remember meeting him on a trip to Birmingham with my mom and brothers. We got a chance to ride once again at his retirement from Memphis to Chicago! This song reminds me of that period - now, at 69, this makes so much sense... Thanks
My great grandfather was an engineer on the Illinois Central, he died on the locomotive in the 50's I carried on the tradition in the family on the railroad, thank you for this beautiful video, thank you so much for this beautiful song.
I 81 and remember on the great great great great music and I grew up with. In my 20s I was a radio announcer and love the music that day later became a doctor and never lost my love for the music of the 50s 60s 70s and 80s
Arlo is my cousin. When I was 5 years old we went to a family reunion and he was there. I had no idea who he was but he and Daddy picked guitars and sang for hours. Arlos father, Woody wrote This land is your land. I guess my dad got his musical talent from them.
My late husband, Roy Freeman, was also related to the Guthrie family and had a beautiful voice he was very talented in so many ways. He lost most of his family to an inherited gene called Huntington's. I miss him very much. This is a wonderful video and thanks to ARLO and all who participated. The song is a National Treasure..
Ty Jennifer for your kind words and very sorry to hear of your Fathers passing I hope it wasn't from the inherited disease Take care Jennifer and thanks again for your kindness
Awesome! I feel love and extreme nostalgia every time I hear this song!! Hip hip Hooray for Arlo Guthrie! Yes, I'm proud to say he's my native Son! Lol ..💖
Im 70 yrs old and I worked for the IC in early 70s in Chicago and I rode 3 round 5trips on the City Every time I hear it I remember and get a little sad My late wife made one of those trips with me and she always said it was one of the thrills of her life This video is beautifully done
I'm 73yo and still remember my trip in a sleeper from NYC to CTI. So unfortunate that corporate greed and govt indifference conspired 2 shoot the passenger train.
That's really cool I'm a big fan of trains model railroads and real ones ever since I was a kid 😉 I'm in Florida I remember when it was Seaboard coastline trains through here then CSX
I have a few vague memories of my maternal Grandfather (and some old photos) of him. He worked on the NKP for 41 years. I have a pic of him with me, as a toddler, on one of the last runs he made thru Lima, Ohio before retiring in 1959, as a conductor. Unfortunately, he passed a short time later of lung cancer (too many Chesterfields) before I ever had a chance to know him and hear his railroad stories. I would have loved to hear them.
@@avengernemesis7990 Greetings from California USA Happy New Year! My Dad was over there Adelaide, Rockhampton getting patched up in the hospital there after the battle of Buna/ Sanananda Dec 1942✌️🇦🇺🇺🇸
If you ever road this train it is very special. Probably as a single mom. Best spo taneous trip ever. Mom son wanted to see snow. So from Louisiana I packed up for me, my daughter and son on January 15th to go to Chicago. Best trip ever. As the mom, I didn't have to drive. We arrived ready to go.
looks like no one is watching this lately xcept you. so i will post my comment here: Goddam awesome vid work so perfect. and i rode this train twice one way. thanks, bro'.
My dad worked for the Rock Island RR. We lived across a gravel road from the tracks and heard this rhythm of the wheels and the whistle blowing as it neared the crossing. When I hear this song I have to sing along, she'd a tear, and smile. Thanks, Arlo.
My dad worked for the Rock Island too. He was a B and B Carpenter. Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific. Ain't many of us around anymore that remember the old Rock Island line.
I am English and a 65 years old old-soldier and I have always loved this song and Arlo Guthrie does it proud but this is the first time I have ever seen it set to a video and that makes it just perfect,Thank you.Sean.
SEAN DOBSON - Greetings from across the pond. I'm of English descent; nice to meet you. Even though you were too young, as you well know, it was ENGLISH SOLDIERS who kept that maniac A.H. from spreading his evil. It is current military service men & women, like yourself, who maintain freedoms. THANK YOU! Relevant song story: The writer, Steve Goodman, was playing the folk clubs of Chicago's Olde Town at the same time Arlo Guthrie was. Steve approached Arlo saying he had a train song he wanted him to hear. Arlo replied that, if Steve would buy him a beer, he'd listen as long as the beer lasted. The beer was duly purchased & the rest is music history. Best Wishes to you.
As someone who rode the passenger rails for over 30 years, may I salute Dave Goodman for writing the consummate railroad ballad, Arlo Guthrie for his perfect rendition and, especially, AK Dian for the stunning film accompaniment. Well done all!
Yes i can still remember all those years ago, 1963 late november traveling on this train from Baton Rouge to New Orleans , same time JFK was shot in Dallas, I turned 80 last month, and i like this song a lot, // Old good songs never dies..*
l totally agree! l'm 75 and love that I can find the music from my youth on my phone! When l was 11 and started babysitting all my 25 cents an to Columbia record club to have the folk music l loved sent to me!
Thank you to all the railroad men and woman. My Uncle, Hank, was a railroad man for the Union Pacific Railroad. A Brakeman. He was so old. He may have fed the firebox with coal or firewood when they ran off of steam. Thank you America for all you have given us.
Hey!, I'm 78 and I still PLAY with trains. I am in California and have supervision via video. Courtesy of my six year old Grandson in Melbourne Australia.
Back when America had true soul, and the train offered the first trans-continental transportation to cover the vast landscape. Now it's all airports and TSA checkpoints. A beautiful and moving song, tribute and video. Thank you.
Same for me 75 years later. Down in the valley aways from our house off Rt 128 was the big double line that eventually ran out throughhe Housic Tunnel. In the summer with the window open ( talking late 1940s early 50s) I would listen for the trains, the low rumble of a big freighter. Still a few steamers then. But I really liked the long drone of the big diesel horns working their way up the valley grade. Many ungated small road crossings back then
I don't know why but this song is just so badass. The best version is the studio version by Arlo Guthrie. Steve Goodman did a good job writing the song too. It does something to the listener.
I was just a boy when I heard this song. Yes the days were hard but life was much simpler than today. Technology gave us convenience, but ugliness came with it.
Well put! I have ridden The City of New Orleans (Amtrak's version) several times. It is nice but doesn't compare with the original Illinois Central or yesteryears' rail travel.
@@amtrakbasketmaker6404 I just recently discovered videos made by riders on the Amtrak trains including the City of New Orleans. Coming into New Orleans the train runs parallel with Interstate 10 (?) which is elevated above the water for a good many miles. The last scene in this video shows that interstate.
@@sharonnelson3397 Mornin' I have riden the City several times mostly north from Fulton, KY. One trip was south to catch the Sunset Limited out of NOL but we were late and they bused us from McComb, MS to LaFayette, LA. The bus driver was a born and raised Cajun and kept us all in stitches. What a hoot! I remember we drove over the Huey P. Long bridge because it reminded me of my dad. Though he was born and raised in Boston he had a thing for the history of Huey P. Long's "career".
For five years I road the City of New Orleans, but in the opposite direction. What memories this magnificent video brings back. In the cavern of Central Station the conductor in his deep-throated sound of the deep South: Now departing on track number 9 the City of New Orleans, northbound for Dyersburg, Fulton, Cairo, Carbondale, Centralia, Effingham, Kankakee, sixty-eight street and the Chicago terminal. All aboard! God, the memories. The beer flew and the lies exaggerated our life.
This was a Steve Goodman song. I picked him up to take him home after his trip on The City of New Orleans which he had so anticipated for weeks. Driving toward Lake Michigan on Lakeshore Dr, he told us he had written a song while on that last run. He sang a couple verses and the chorus and asked us what we thought... 2 yrs later it was all over the radio with everyone thinking Arlo had written it. But I'll never forget Stevie in the backseat, with his bright eyes, singing that song he wrote while on that last voyage of the City of New Orleans. Memorable. RIP Steve and love to Nancy!
I was real glad they gave a big credit to Steve with his picture at the end of this video. I first heard Steve in '73, and he of course played this and told the story of how Arlo came to play it. Steve was a great songwriter and performer whose life was cut way too short. Thanks for your wonderful story! RIP Steve Goodman! (Have you given up on politics?)
My Grandmother, Louise Wilhelmsen Hodges actually wrote most of this song long before she met Steve on the train. She worked as a telephone operator for the ICRR and rode the train every week from McComb MS to New Orleans and visited many other cities as well. The fare was free for her. Steve happened to hear her singing on the train, which she frequently did. She was a local New Orleans actress and singer/songwriter. He told her he was a songwriter and they sat together for a couple of hours and tweaked the lyrics. The melody was entirely hers and they collaborated on the lyrics. She had ridden the train for decades and knew the types of passengers, the locations, the mothers with their babes asleep, the rusted automobiles. Steve told her he believed the song would be a hit and asked her what type of compensation she wanted if it was recorded. Granny, who was nearly 70 years old at that time, said she needed no compensation other than to hear it on the radio. Steve had her sign a paper sating that she would be paid no compensation! Long story. There are more details, but she indeed started the whole mesmerizing song about the romance of riding the great City of New Orleans. There are details about her in the Railroad Museum in McComb, Mississippi!!!
What a beautiful recollection; possibly some luck, too , yes ? SOME things in life should not be ALLOWED to become obsolete ! May, 2023; Many of us are coming back to LISTEN to that 'song that never dies!" Having been born in the city of Rock Island, when we used to sing this song, we'd substitute the city "Ke-Wan-ee" for Kankakee ha ha. We rode the Burlington back then, and had to drive to Galesburg to get it, to travel to California. Surely we, myself and some of my classmates from Moline High School sang this for hours, as one of our hootenanny favorites. (Jim Anderson? Where are you now ?) And Jack Petit, our class president DROVE us to Galesburg! Yes, the Rock Island Lines were a pretty good line , too! My grandfather was an engineer , I think on the Rock Island Lines---He' drove it from a little town titled " Barstow/or Joslin" guess they re-named it Like to know from an commenters, if they'd ever heard of that little country town, near Geneseo? I used to have a "continual debate" with my college roommate who was a artist; The question, " Which lasts longer, a painting, or a song.?" I'm not sure to this day, who actually won the debate...but as we see painters and song-writers disappear, I think we have to admit, it' s THE SONG THAT LIVES ON. We were trying to assemble a children's musical, wherein the main character, who jumps up on stage to play her little cello with "The First Four Presidents", and one of us gave dialogue to the little player; she says to Thomas Jefferson "I Can't play this music-it's too old!" Jefferson and Washington laugh at her and shout "Honey...music doesn't grow OLD! People do! (Yes, it's a comedy!) but that line reminds me so much of THIS SONG! RIP Arlo Guthrie-and Steve Goodman, and so many others! Thank you so much for TRUTH in SONG! LyndaFaye "The Mississippi Valley Lady" the song and the musical. "Friends, Love Songs and Hearthaches@Bandcamp. LyndaFayeSmusic@Yahoo.
I’m in Australia and have only been on an American train once, in 2017. Washington DC to NYC. Loved it, loved the Red Caps. I’ve always loved this song, it captures the spirit of train travel perfectly. ❤
I saw that man give a history lecture disguised as a music show. He got the entire Seattle Opera House on their feet singing at the top of their lungs. Didn't matter who you were just that you sang your heart. The best concert i have ever been to.
Absolutely! I was fortunate to see him together with Pete Steger in the 80's at the UMASS performing arts center. Phenomenal. All ages and they pulled you in and embraced you with music that touched you and made you think. Time it was, and, what a time it was......
I work for Amtrak Mechanical here in Chicago goin on 22yrs. & prior that had 6yrs. with BNSF Suburban. This song 🎶 warms my heart & yes I see the “City Of New Orleans” equipment everyday goin & comin from Union Station 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽 !!!
Sadly the days that this story refers to are gone forever, replaced by garbage! I know you'll all say I'm living in the past, but so what!??! There were some good days there, and you have to admit there aren't an awfully lot anymore. As maqny of us face the ends of our lives, these days will not exist anymore and that is such a shame!!
We happily had a chance to see Arlo play this song in a small venue in Hartford years ago. He was terrific, singing, telling stories and jokes and letting us know he didn't initially want to record the song (!) -- and it became a big hit for him. Arlo's health is not good right now and he's cancelled his appearances, sorry to say. Let's all wish him well!
Hello Karla Ekquist-Lechner, This is my personal account where I get to talk with people I find interesting from my page, You drew my attention with your lovely comment!
You could say Arlo Guthrie owns this one, as nobody quite gets it with the same feel. Love the imagery, lyrics, and melody. A great song indeed. Thanks for sharing.
Several years ago, I found a Steve Goodman version of the song performed live. As good as Steve's studio version and Arlo's cover are, this live version IMO really captured the spirit of the song. And yes, there have been so many horrible covers of 'City Of New Orleans' done over the years (at one point, it was almost obligatory for any artist who did railroad songs or folk ballads to cover this one) - like Johnny Cash singing 'And the graveyards Filled with rusted automobiles."
Amtrak has resurrected 'The City of New Orleans'. They invited Mr. Guthrie on the first time it ran. He really enjoyed himself on the train ride, from what I heard.
I agree; there is a bit of melancholy in this song, as it takes me back to childhood. Growing up in the 50's, in the Bronx, we took trains (& subways) everywhere. Things were simpler, safer, more fun back then. Now it's a different world of high tech & high speed trains. A new rail story.
It's this guy writing the words. He a friend of John prine..his poetry paints lil pictures , they grip your dreams an nightmares...I forgot his name ,sad . Find his other tunes ,trust me
Ellen Civitello Yes, reminds of days gone by. Sometimes it makes me want to cry but also has such a happy beat. I wonder if Steve Goodman had grown up with his dad working for the railroad, because only someone close could of done such a superb job!😩
"And the sons of Pullman porters And the sons of engineers Ride their fathers' magic carpets Made of steel" Easily my favorite line of the song. There's just something so evocative about that last phrase.
Also give a thought to the men and women of yesteryear who kept lonely vigils in lineside towers and stations, lining up switches and signals and handling orders, Form A's, messages, and other communications that kept all the trains running.
I loved this song the first time I heard it as a teen. Now I'm hedging on 70 and this is still one of my favorite songs. Great music endures--and this is a great song.
To those of you who have never taken an overnight trip on a cross-country passenger train, please try to do so, at least one time. "Riding the rails" is a unique experience that really can't be described in words. It must be experienced with ALL the senses, particularly with a friend, a family member, a lover, etc. Romance is indeed returning to the rails, and the best way to experience it is to just GO! Today, except for private, themed specials and/or excursion land cruises, most cross-country passenger trains are operated by Amtrak, a railroad which was formed from the remains of aging, deteriorating passenger routes and dilapidated train sets. Whatever your opinion of Amtrak, it WAS instrumental in saving the passenger train from a painful and embarrassing death. Amtrak does operate all of America's cross-country passenger routes today. But back in the day, it was not unusual for a particular train to be pulled by two, three, or in some cases, even four separate railroads! Amtrak has removed this practice, but the other experiences are still there. Regional railroads in some areas are operating their own excursion trains to take advantage of unique scenery or landscape, and a few operate special dinner trains. We still have several legacy routes criss-crossing the country, albeit a few of them have different names now: Coast Starlight; Empire Builder; California Zephyr; Sunset Limited: Southwest Chief; Texas Eagle; Silver Star; Silver Meteor; the Auto Train; and a host of others whose names I can't remember. One day in the future, we may see the permanent end of railroad travel -- not too soon, I hope; already we almost saw it once, before the founding of Amtrak in 1971. Try taking a cross-country trip on the rails at least once in your lifetime. My two trips on the California Zephyr were unique experiences. Riding the rails is no longer about getting to a destination. The train itself, and the people who ride it, is the destination. It doesn't matter where you're going, it's how you get there that matters. The airlines are for people who want to get from A to B as rapidly as possible. The passenger trains are for the rest of us, who want to get from A to B of course, but who also want to see all the points in between -- to watch the scenery roll by in the day coach or the observation car; make a new friend in the parlor car; share a meal in the dining car; and go to sleep to the gentle rocking of the sleeping car. When you wake up in the morning, you may have arrived at your destination, or perhaps you'll look out your window to a beautiful, sunny morning. It's an experience you can never hope to even imagine on an airliner! So take that trip on a passenger train, what many people today refer to as a "cruise ship on rails." Even if you do it only once, you won't regret it, and you'll have some great stories to tell your grandchildren! 🚂🚃🚃🚃
I wish I had the opportunity (not to mention the money) to do just that. My parents and I rode the train from NY to FL back in 1959, but we slept in our seats. I was a teenager, angry at the entire world, and did not appreciate the trip. I would now.
Erzahler Early 70's, rode the SouthernRailway System original New Orleans-Washington "Southern Crescent" out of Atlanta. Green, off white and gold E8 diesels (four of 'em, and a couple of them still in the SR black scheme) real china in dining car, a sleeper w/ shower and 15 cars long. Now, THAT was a passenger train!
Ezrahler I travel long distance by Amtrak, I also travel on Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliners when I’m home in the San Diego area for up to a week. I ride from San Diego to Los Angeles & Oxnard alternating my visits between the 2 cities, it’s a very smart travel choice. My days of flying domestically are finished. The only way I’ll fly in the future is on Trans Pacific flights between Los Angeles & Manila on Philippine Airlines.
If you want to see some of these trains in action, might I recommend Timsvideochannel1. Recently Tim's channel did a video on the Dirango & Silverton narrow-gauge line. I'll look for it and I'll post the link here. Well worth a look!
Thanks for the awesome video...well done! I have done the sleeper experience a few times and I agree it is well worth the trip! I have rode The City of New Orleans, California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, Lake Shore Limited and Empire Builder. Can't wait to ride again!
THIS FILM AND THIS TRAIN IS SO LOADED WITH MEMORIES FOR ME, I CANT WATCH WITHOUT GETTING TEARY EYED. MY EXPERIENCE BEGAN AS A CHILD WATCHING THIS TRAIN FROM A WOODEN FOOTBRIDGE IN MATTOON ILLINOIS, AND VOWING TO RIDE IT AWAY FROM THAT GOD FORSAKEN TOWN TO THE BIG CITY.
Did you know John Denver tried to steal this song from Steve Goodman by taking credit for writing it on a Denver album. Arlo called him out on it ."What the fuck bro you did not write the song"
He died young, of leukemia, in 1984 at the age of 36. I probably walked by him on the street in my time on the North Side od Chicago. I grew up on the South Side, near the tracks, where I was part of the scenery as the train went by. The City of New Orleans. Also the Panama Limited.
This song reminds me of my former hometown of Kankakee,IL! As I was born there 65 years ago! Been there once in 2008 and the town's still there ; I didn't see nor hear the old train whistle though. Most folks I meet never heard of my hometown of Kankakee, Illinois, however; when I mention this 🎵 '-their eyes light up and they recognize the song immediately ! Thanks, TH-cam you made my day and an unknown town famous in this little song ditty !
72 years old and this brings back a memory of my Dad and Uncle taking me from Champaign, Il to Chicago to see the Cubs (who were terrible then). I am pretty sure we went on the City of New Orleans. This was around 1961 I think. I remember the stop in Kankakee.
Magnificent. The line "And the sons of Pullman porters, and the sons of engineers, ride their fathers' magic carpets made of steel" is worthy of Shakespeare.
Not really. But I love this song. I am a Brit who never been near America, but when I hear this song, I see all the America we have been sold. Plus I love trains. I could write a song about a train through Britain, but it would not have the romance of this.
@@hogwashmcturnip8930 All along the southbound odysee , she got me off in
ecstasy, as we rode along through home farms an fields, passing towns that have no names, freight yards full of working men, oh what she did to me with her high heels... yup the romance of the railz
@Raymond Garafano the line is
All along the southbound odyssey, the train pulls out of Kankakee....
@@themiskulaniuschannel9762 I knew that, I'm always changing verses in songs.
@@raymondgarafano8604 gotcha...
I drove Diesel Locomotives for 37 years. I retired 8 years ago. I loved every second of it. I miss it every single day.
Does that kind of job pay well nowadays?
@@stevenbolton3482 I retired 8 years ago. But, the salary was phenomenal. Also, I love trains anyway.
Scott I to was behind the throttle for 43 years. No regrets ever.
Thank You....for putting in those years making America run and move just like the steam powered aeroplane you were conducting
And I was saying, "Hiball the air, We're in the clear, flags down."
America still has wonderful people living everywhere. And if you cannot find a kind person, be one.
Amen to that!!
Monicaballyurban
Yes! You are so RIGHT...BE KIND as we walk each OTHER HOME! 💗😊❤
I love you, Monica!!
And there's a few her in Canada
So true, thanks for that
What a fabulous tribute to the railroad. Isn't she beautiful. Arlo does this song justice.
You are not infringing on my privacy. It is a beautiful song. I am well. How are you?
@David Holton I am from Vancouver British Columbia. Where are you from?
@David Holton In most areas its all getting back to normal. How is it in Texas?
This song and Wabash Cannon Ball are my favorite railroad songs.
One outstanding video to boot!! Represents the feel of the tracks and the people who still enjoy taking some time to relate to those others on the trains. We're going to miss them if they leave forever. Take an Amtrak if you care to really see this great country we call America! It's worth a couple of extra bucks.
One of the greatest Americana songs ever written and recorded.
absolutely,im English and a adore this superb song.
I'm a railway worker with 43 years service in Ireland working out of Kent Station Cork. This is a great song and is applicable to all Railway men everywhere.
True!
God bless Cork and God bless Ireland. I had the good fortune to visit Sligo a few years ago and compete in the All Ireland Fleadh.
@@timothyscheidler6365 I’m 0:18 qq❤❤❤1qq
2 Thumbs up on that, a very nice attitude for anyone working with the steel ribbons,
the signals, maintenance of way, engines and rolling stock a great industry and career.
My grandfather was a conductor for the B&O out of Baltimore. Didn't know him well. I was barely 8 when he passed. But after my dad also left us... I found all my Granddad's railroad pins with the last being for 60 years of service.
I'm an engineer for Canadian Pacific out of Chicago, and this song makes me very proud to be a railroader!
Bless your heart, Sir. I just read about CN shutting down service due to the 'protesters' - it makes my blood boil!
Your service is appreciated....sign me, Just a railfan in Phoenix, AZ
@@jessstone7211 I'm in agreement with you Sir. I'm sick and tired of all the protesters who are trying to shift this great Republic further to the left and socialism.
I love this song being sung by Arlo Guthrie. To my way of thinking, his is the best version.
The US is the leading contributor to global warming, along with China and India, and people like you just want to turn a blind eye. When the big waves hit, they won't just take out the oil and coal companies. They'll take everyone. I don't believe in protests, or socialism. I believe in social democracy. But the US does allow freedom of speech. And we DO need to shift away from fossil fuels.
Oops, I'm not practicing what I'm preaching, by being somehow confrontational. I know there are so many layers of reasoning we don't see, clearly. All of us. I guess it's the urgency and complexity of today's world. I'm no expert, but from what I've gathered, this particular global warming cycle has many sources. It's the total effect from methane gas, to hydrocarbons, to CO2, and generally all the combined industrial and personal pollution in the air and water over the past 100-150 years. This warming cycle has warmed the Earth's surface as much in the past 130 years than any of the previous warming cycles, which took 10-20,000 years. Back then, it was just natural CO2 emissions from animals, I guess. Not too much. The Earth was actually beginning a longer 100,000 year cooling trend, when industry reversed the cooling- to warming temps. We're technically in a long cooling cycle. It looks like the pollutants are beating out the further orbiting away from the sun.
Can you tell me how the new PTC system is going? I took the Amtrak from Martinez, Ca to Tacoma, Wa., and it was a beautiful trip! It's so fun. Meeting folks on the train and looking at scenery. And I've had some shorter trips up here in Washington, but there was a derailment in 2017, south of Tacoma. Three passengers were killed, and many injured. The train was going three times the speed limit, which the conductor didn't see. I know the odds of dying in a train wreck are around 500,000 to one. I'm not sure if all Amtrak routes have the PTC controls, or any ATC controls. I saw one report that said the program was to be in effect by 2019. I hope so, because depending on conductors seeing the speed limit signs doesn't thrill me, as a passenger.
I dont know if anyone will actually read my comment so far down the line but this song has always been special to me. My grandfather was a Gandy Dancer for Pennsylvania RailRoad, he even got to see the Hindenburg crash while working one day. He was a small man at only 5'3" but could drive a spike in only 3 swings. I never got to meet him but this song makes me feel a special connection to him somehow. Great video.
I remember my grand dad and mom talking bout the gandy dancers. ❤️
@@dr.cassandrayazzie5100 definitely not a term many people know these days.
Thank you for teaching me a new term. My grandfather was an Italian immigrant in the 1920's and I believe this is what he did for work.
Powerful memories..thanks for sharing your story.
Two "connects." Lived in New Orleans (a "local," but not my main house) for a bit a few years ago. Also, tested some military radios (as a contractor) on the very spot of the Hindenburg crash (by surprise as I did it!) prior to the NOLA stay. All the best!
My father in law worked for the railroads his whole life. He died about 5 years.ago.Because of his condition he was in a home the last year of his life. My wife sensed he would not make it thru the night so my son, my wife and I stayed with him.He was totally unresponsive the last few hours. My wife played religious songs for him. Somehow I remembered he really liked this song.We found it on google and played it for him. Halfway through the song he turned his his head and tried to sing the the song with us. He dies a few minutes later. I still get tears in my eyes when I hear this song
Thanks for your story.
Andrew you are so sweet to share this with us. what a great memory you have to hold forever. My heart is melting now
Well that made me cry... 💜💜💜
@@lma1943 I'm crying too.
Beautiful story !
I am an adopted son of America 🇺🇸 for the last 55 years. I miss fifties, sixties, and seventies music, among other things. Most of all, I miss my youth, good health and all that goes along with it.
I am just glad 😊that I got to live a good and fulfilling life in my adopted country, good old U S of A❗️
I'm not an American and my native language isn't even English, but I've visited the United States 11 times, ( between 1996 to 2020 ), and I can totally understand your feelings. I only have good memories of the American people and situations I encountered there. I'm 71 and widowed for ten years now, but I plan to visit the U.S. again in 2025 and I'm really looking forward to it. Wishing you all the best.
😊
I know this might not be a thought u thought.... yet you did live at that time n still have you tube to revisit at your leisure 😊😮😅. I agree with your comments
@@candlelight3232 Dear candlelight, Thanks for your nice comments. Hope you will enjoy many more visits of US❗️
@@cynthiabinder3730 So true Cynthia, I did collect my favorite music in records, then CDs, even 8 track tapes which are all sitting in boxes in my garage. I am glad to be able to watch & listen to all that music on TH-cam for sure❗️
@@frequentvisitor4405 Dear @frequentvisitor4405, thank you for YOUR nice comment. Yes, all the Americans I met were very nice to me and I think, not just because I'm an older lady, (LOL). I always travel alone since my husband died and I love the endless freedom and the challenge of being responsible only for myself....and I love planning and learning something new....Why not have a ride with the "City of New Orleans" train ? You gave me the inspiration for this ... Thank you and all the best for you.
This song is Americana at its best. I always tear up when I listen to it. A once proud and busy railroad, dwindling down to bankruptcy. Passenger numbers fell beneath the floor due to air travel. No one wanted to ride old, worn out coaches for a day when a jet could get you there in hours. People in a hurry and not pausing to appreciate everything around you. The ICC killed the railroads with rules written in the 1880’s that desperately needed updating. By the time Jimmy Carter stepped in, it was too late. Many of these classic lines were destitute with no money to repair decades of abuse. Very sad.
The passenger trains suffered greatly when the freight trains were given priority on the rail routes.
Back in the mid 80's I took the Lakeshore limited outa Boston,Mass to Chicago to go to
a model train meet. Yeah trains I love'em, one sees more of America that way
It is a pity that people do not think of the journey as a part of the whole time away rather than a chore to be got over as quickly as possible.
SAD AND Memorable; makes it tolerable, yes ?
May, 2023; Many of us are coming back to LISTEN to that 'song that never dies!" Having been born in the city of Rock Island, when we used to sing this song, we'd substitute the city "Ke-Wan-ee" for Kankakee ha ha. We rode the Burlington back then, and had to drive to Galesburg to get it, to travel to California. Surely we, myself and some of my classmates from Moline High School sang this for hours, as one of our hootenanny favorites. (Jim Anderson? Where are you now ?) And Jack Petit, our class president DROVE us to Galesburg! Yes, the Rock Island Lines were a pretty good line , too! My grandfather was an engineer , I think on the Rock Island Lines---He' drove it from a little town titled " Barstow/or Joslin" guess they re-named it Like to know from an commenters, if they'd ever heard of that little country town, near Geneseo?
I used to have a "continual debate" with my college roommate who was a artist; The question, " Which lasts longer, a painting, or a song.?" I'm not sure to this day, who actually won the debate...but as we see painters and song-writers disappear, I think we have to admit, it' s THE SONG THAT LIVES ON.
We were trying to assemble a children's musical, wherein the main character, who jumps up on stage to play her little cello with "The First Four Presidents", and one of us gave dialogue to the little player; she says to Thomas Jefferson "I Can't play this music-it's too old!" Jefferson and Washington laugh at her and shout "Honey...music doesn't grow OLD! People do!
(Yes, it's a comedy!) but that line reminds me so much of THIS SONG!
RIP Arlo Guthrie-and Steve Goodman, and so many others!
Thank you so much for TRUTH in SONG!
LyndaFaye
"The Mississippi Valley Lady" the song and the musical.
"Friends, Love Songs and Hearthaches@Bandcamp.
LyndaFayeSmusic@Yahoo.
@@lyndafaye6748 Thank you for what you have written here, it is great to have these fond memories. Thank you for bringing this to the people.
I know a american guy here in hamburg/germany. He arrived years ago this country and lost his two legs by an acciddent with a u-train. he walks always so so very friendly and lovely and cool with prothetic legs very slowly in the city of hamburg, years later he is afraid to go alone in the u-train underground, one day I´ll protect him and walk together with him in the underground and drove with him 3 stations near to his home, and he told me his story...not angry, no hate, only friendly , lovely, smiling, while my heart inside is breaking....so: I cried, because I had no shoes, than I met a man, who had no legs. sorry for my terrible english
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤thank you and bless you
Mama used to say that to me as a child. She taught me and my sisters gratitude for everything in life...never take anything or anyone for granted! Thank you for your heartwarming message!
Thanks for your story.
We understand. Your story would make a scenario for a novel. You should write it.
It was my honor to have met Steve Goodman, the man who wrote this song. His passing from leukemia in 1984 silenced a wonderful voice, a talented song writer and great human. My thanks to Arlo Guthrie for bringing Steve's song to a wider audience.
Goodman was a musical genius!
Special memory. Thnx for that.
Wonderful song! Such a loss of a talented man. Thank you Arlo for such a beautiful rendition.
@@lindaboyer6036 Arlo Guthrie is not dead.
He also wrote 'You never even call me by my name " for David Allen Coe
This song always literally brings me to tears. It's a reminder of simple, beautiful times in our wonderful country that has sadly been divided by hatred and violence. So sad, but we're still the best country on the planet. Hope we can achieve peace and love again.
Sanford, this is a song which does remind us of simpler and happier times in this country - and I, too, hold out for the forces of peace and love to prevail, my friend.
Jim Crow.
We are the best country on the planet. But apparently, the US Women's Soccer Team doesn't think so. It is the left who are dividing the country and causing all this hate and violence.
im coming from UK next spring and gonna ride this train from Memphis to New Orleans..your still a great country
@@gizhou3034 Stop trolling. Jim Crow was abolished well over half a century ago and since blacks have enjoyed more rights than whites in this country. You don't like it here you are free to go. Bye.
My parents took this train from Union Station to New Orleans for their honeymoon in February 1954.
Beautiful
I love this story ❤
This song is a tribute to American and all railroaders around the world. Rest in Peace Steve Goodman.
Ditto
AMEN
@uglyfrog7263.....I couldn't agree with you more.....Perfect comment.
@@fredk9999 I like Willie's version of it, but this one has more feeling than his does.
"The rhythm of the rails" ..... I feel it every time I hear this song.
One of the Greatest Train Songs of all time!
I grew up outside of NOLA, and once rode the City of New Orleans home from grad school in Chicago. This is almost certainly the greatest train song ever written.
I couldn't agree with you more.
that's pretty cool. I'm also from New Orleans but have never been on a train (except to visit). I've always taken planes. But an interesting fact is that when I was really young, I wanted to work on a train (I'm female) but people thought I was crazy. I now work as a psychotherapist but if I had the chance to do everything all over again and would have been able to work on a train, I just might have preferred to take that road in life instead. ♥
9 years retired, engineer for Conrail and Norfolk Southern. The best railroad song ever written. I could listen to it every day.
34 1/2 years in passenger and freight service.
This should be the Official Railroad Song of the USA!
It never gets old
My grandma’s father and brothers all worked for the NY Central. She was born in 1884.
Well God Bless You Cheeky Monkey, for being a big part of the country's history- railroad people are a special breed and we still need them. Enjoy your retirement- build a model train environment.
@@elisalepore7231 forget the flowers in your hair and take a pooper scooper.
"Mothers with their babes asleep, rockin' to the gentle beat and the rhythm of the rails is all they feel ". Pure magic.
This song is so nostalgic. I remember being a child in the seventies, sitting on the porch step one morning listening to this song on the radio. It felt like a much simpler time.
It was
AM radio in the station wagon with the family.
I’m a member of a senior chorus in Ballston Spa,and to my great delight I will be soloing on this song at one of our luncheons. Our chorus director asked us to list our favorite songs and I immediately sent him this one. I will be delighted to sing it for my fellow seniors. I hope they enjoy it as much as I do. Wish me luck!!
Elizabeth Delgado
I hope all goes well, you couldn't have picked a better song.
Luck to uou
Break a leg. This is such a great song.
Makes me sad. America is not what it once was and maybe never be again. Thank GOD we still have all the songs and the memories 💕
You're comment makes me get tears, you are so correct..Yaa this country was a much better place in it's past.
To me it feels as if we are near the end. A whole new world is coming and I am scared to think what it has in store.
Yes reminds me of when America was great and not like Trump wants it to be. From an Australian 73 yrs old in Oz.
Amen to that....my late mom's parents were "Southern Railway"🚂 station agents and I love this song....
You are so right we have turned a corner and it's not good!
Thank you, from Australia. This has to be the best song about America, it's warm and oh so memorable.
590 dislikes? Are you guys effin' *CRAZY* ?!!
How any sane person with half the brains God gave a squirrel, (and any sense of musical taste), can dislike this song is a mystery to me.
Arlo Guthrie has (had?) more talent in his pinky fingernail than most of today's "musicians" have in their entire bodies.
This song is a classic and my hat's off to the creator of this video. Tireless work and patience have paid off with one of the best videos I have seen.
Jim Harris - well said, I like that "Half the brains of a squirrel", mind if I pinch it? 🙄
@@alvindimes4729
I "pinched it" myself, so go ahead. 😉
Though the correct expression is ". . .half the brains God gave a squirrel"
There is no new music today, when Cher released Believe with autotune she unwittingly destroyed new music. That software turns 1/2 Squirrel brains into million sellers.....
As a squirrel, I find that comment extremely abusive! 😠
Idiots.... how could they say they don't like it. Just keep quiet.....
This song reminds me a healthy AMERICA and a strong AMERICA. Lets keep it that way.
God Bless You, Mr. Flanagan! We are still true Americans, and honor our past, the people before us who loved what our country stands for! Railroads built America! Best wishes to you always. Rick Dwayne Rumpff, Celina, Ohio USA.
I'm all in with your thinking.
Too Late
@@edgein3299 Not if you vote BLUE!
@@michaelflanagan5450Thanks, Mr. Flanagan, my mum was a McDermitt, Scots-Irish! Rick Dwayne Rumpff, Celina, Ohio USA.
I remember this song being played in a supermarket here in Oregon. When it came to the chorus, I could hear a lot of people softly singing along. Rest in peace Steve Goodman.
It's one of those songs that makes you want to sing along every time you hear it regardless of where you are.😃
That's cool Kent... thanks for sharing.... Eric Underwood class of 81 Downey High School California
Kent: Hello fellow Oregonian!
@@stuartadamsrailfanningvideos hello to both of you fellow Oregonians!
Steve Goodman?
Why do I sob when I hear this song...
I feel you. Arlo and this song is so nostalgic
85 years later, as a small boy I can still remember laying in bed at night and waiting for the trains to go by about a mile from home, some from those lonely sounding steam whistles and later the moan of those air horns as the big diesels left for places far away, lonely sounds at night. The steam whistles are long gone, but the big diesels still send their music out over the rails. Wonderful memories.
I hear them at night too and love the sound... nothing like it 😊👍
The train here is about a block away and it does sound beautiful.
I too was fortunate to have lived for a few years near passing railroad tracks. I could hear the faint, practically melodic sound of the horn as it disappeared into the night. For some reason, it was mesmerizing. Years later, I still miss it.
Well I have 1 of'em a Lunkenheimer 3 chimer all brass and takes an inch an a 1/4 pipe,
I fired it off a boiler owned by the New England steam and wireless museum in R.I.
dayum that whistle sounded good.
Well Fred, I have the whistle and the bell the bell has a pneumatic slammer in it as well
as being able to pull the upper frame to ring and a Lunkenheimer 3 chime whistle I
fired off the factory boiler, collecting r.r. stuff is kool.
Arlo did this song justice. The piano is perfect, the lyrics divine. "This train has got the dissapearing railroad blues", beautiful!
But Arlo did not write it.
with the Mississippi darkness rollin' down to the sea
Funny, I always heard it as "this train has got to disappear in railroad blues".
It was a disappearing railroad 50 years ago. And yet me wife and I are booked on it for a trip next month. Glad some things never change
@@mafirearmsafety Arlo told the story in a concert a few years back. Something like this. " After a concert I was sitting at the bar having a beer. A short guy came up and wanted me to listen to his song. I said I don't like songs. I don't even like my own songs. Buy me a beer and I'll listen as long as the beer lasts. The song was City of New Orleans and the guy was Steve Goodman." As close as I can remember what Arlo said. Never took credit for the song for himsellf.
In 1944 my mom rode the train all the way from Nashville, TN to San Francisco to marry my dad whose ship was docked there for a few days during the War. Can’t hear this song without thinking of that. Arlo Guthrie captures everything Steve Goodman intended to convey when he wrote it.
I am a Locomotive Engineer for Metro North in NY and God willing will retire in 4 weeks. Being an Engineer was my childhood dream. Its so true, my sons and my daughter have rode their fathers magic carpet made from steel, something they will never forget. My thanks to God for a great memorable 24 years on the rails.
Happy retirement
Thank you. I'm a man without a train now.
God bless you and yours. I grew up living in hearing distance of the train horns and I still do; love to barely hear them in the distance and used to love to ride passenger trains, especially Amtrak's Crescent. Not sure how long they'll survive, and service has unfortunately been downgraded by management.
How can a young man get a job on the railroad my grandson is 20 and we go to video trains in fla every chance we get it would be a dream come true for him he would do any job connected to rail
Used to take the railroad from New York City back to Hartford to visit my folks when I began attending Pratt Institute in Brooklyn for my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1969. Always loved taking the train as opposed to a bus, loved the views out the windows and the sounds and motions of the ride. Best way to travel in those days.
Elizabeth Delgado
Art & Design
I'm a former locomotive engineer and I love this song. It makes me choke up at the end. Thanks for sharing it.
Thanks
ripper back
Thanks for moving it on down the line.
I have the greatest respect, for what you did, sir.
I love this song too. My son is going to be an engineer. Im so proud of him.
My Grandfather also worked on the St.Fe RR. He fell off the engine while signaling an on coming train. While being operated on for hip injury, his heart stopped. The Dr. Said it was like 'a bolt out of the blue'. Unknown cause. I was seven. I've never heard this song without rembering the trains whistling long while passing by the graveyard when the services were going on. In salute to him. I Love trains! That was sixty years ago this November...
My Grandpa (Frederick "Fritz" Mayer) retired from the Illinois Central Railroad after 50 years of loyal service to the IC in 1963, and later in his IC career was the locomotive engineer for the City of New Orleans for part of its route in Southern Illinois. I love your tribute here to those passionate men and women who as you so eloquently state that 'toil day and night providing safe transportation services' by rail for us. Thank you for your magnificent tribute to them.
you mean one engineer didn't drive the whole route ?
@@stefanomagaddino6868 It’s a 19 hour trip between New Orleans and Chicago.
@stefanomagaddino6868 At one time regulations for engineers were very stringent-and outdated. The were based on miles and not time. At one point, there was an equilibrium but locomotives became faster and more powerful. An engineer could produce a days work in a few hours.
@@ShelleyVideo SOME things in life should not be ALLOWED to become obsolete !
May, 2023; Many of us are coming back to LISTEN to that 'song that never dies!" Having been born in the city of Rock Island, when we used to sing this song, we'd substitute the city "Ke-Wan-ee" for Kankakee ha ha. We rode the Burlington back then, and had to drive to Galesburg to get it, to travel to California. Surely we, myself and some of my classmates from Moline High School sang this for hours, as one of our hootenanny favorites. (Jim Anderson? Where are you now ?) And Jack Petit, our class president DROVE us to Galesburg! Yes, the Rock Island Lines were a pretty good line , too! My grandfather was an engineer , I think on the Rock Island Lines---He' drove it from a little town titled " Barstow/or Joslin" guess they re-named it Like to know from an commenters, if they'd ever heard of that little country town, near Geneseo?
I used to have a "continual debate" with my college roommate who was a artist; The question, " Which lasts longer, a painting, or a song.?" I'm not sure to this day, who actually won the debate...but as we see painters and song-writers disappear, I think we have to admit, it' s THE SONG THAT LIVES ON.
We were trying to assemble a children's musical, wherein the main character, who jumps up on stage to play her little cello with "The First Four Presidents", and one of us gave dialogue to the little player; she says to Thomas Jefferson "I Can't play this music-it's too old!" Jefferson and Washington laugh at her and shout "Honey...music doesn't grow OLD! People do!
(Yes, it's a comedy!) but that line reminds me so much of THIS SONG!
RIP Arlo Guthrie-and Steve Goodman, and so many others!
Thank you so much for TRUTH in SONG!
LyndaFaye
"The Mississippi Valley Lady" the song and the musical.
"Friends, Love Songs and Hearthaches@Bandcamp.
LyndaFayeSmusic@Yahoo.
Never been on a long distance train ride which I know have much better sleeping arrangements for those long rides than Greyhound which was one mode of traveling that was more familiar to me.
My mother and herr friends would sing this song sometimes right at bed time when I was A child 💯 miss you Moma💙✌️❗
Four generations of our family worked on the railway! This song really holds a lot of meaning and memories for me.
SOME things in life should not be ALLOWED to become obsolete !
May, 2023; Many of us are coming back to LISTEN to that 'song that never dies!" Having been born in the city of Rock Island, when we used to sing this song, we'd substitute the city "Ke-Wan-ee" for Kankakee ha ha. We rode the Burlington back then, and had to drive to Galesburg to get it, to travel to California. Surely we, myself and some of my classmates from Moline High School sang this for hours, as one of our hootenanny favorites. (Jim Anderson? Where are you now ?) And Jack Petit, our class president DROVE us to Galesburg! Yes, the Rock Island Lines were a pretty good line , too! My grandfather was an engineer , I think on the Rock Island Lines---He' drove it from a little town titled " Barstow/or Joslin" guess they re-named it Like to know from an commenters, if they'd ever heard of that little country town, near Geneseo?
I used to have a "continual debate" with my college roommate who was a artist; The question, " Which lasts longer, a painting, or a song.?" I'm not sure to this day, who actually won the debate...but as we see painters and song-writers disappear, I think we have to admit, it' s THE SONG THAT LIVES ON.
We were trying to assemble a children's musical, wherein the main character, who jumps up on stage to play her little cello with "The First Four Presidents", and one of us gave dialogue to the little player; she says to Thomas Jefferson "I Can't play this music-it's too old!" Jefferson and Washington laugh at her and shout "Honey...music doesn't grow OLD! People do!
(Yes, it's a comedy!) but that line reminds me so much of THIS SONG!
RIP Arlo Guthrie-and Steve Goodman, and so many others!
Thank you so much for TRUTH in SONG!
LyndaFaye
"The Mississippi Valley Lady" the song and the musical.
"Friends, Love Songs and Hearthaches@Bandcamp.
LyndaFayeSmusic@Yahoo.
Wish someone could send me back to the 70's ! Can't take all my childhood hero's passing it blows
IT DOES!
Just for the record...Arlo Guthrie is alive and well at 76 years of age on this day in 2024....
Amen to that.
...hocus pocus...
We'll keep a GOOD THOUGHT for this!@@puffinbilly6826
Steve Goodman’s best song. What a talent he was. RIP Steve, you are missed. Every time the Cubs win I think of you.
Only when they win? Gee.
This song paints such a beautiful picture. I introduced this song to my kids and they all love it. I know they will pass this song along to their kids. Thats what folk music does. :)
That's really agood idea ... I hope, a lot more people should do that. This song is worth keeping for eternity.
Once we had music.
Not just music, a story too
What Cardi Bs song WAP isn't good enough for you? What about Sexy reds song Pound town? LMFAO haha 😂🤣😂🤣
We will again!!!
Generic old dude TH-cam comment No 26485. How about "This song is so underrated"? Were you gonna do that one next?
It drives me nuts that people refuse to find good music. That's the only thing that "once" was different. You used to get the good stuff preselected and served up without having to look for it. In TH-cam commenting AND music consumption: Don't be so lazy.
@@JohannesLabusch Generiic young dude used to listening to crap.
Truck driver for many years, big salute, to all you railmen, and truckers, all who hail freight, and keep this STILL great country moving
Literally. Everything moves by truck and rail. And much by ship….ocean going and on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers.
Steve was a superb story writer and Arlo is a great story teller!
Beautiful, beautiful Lyrics brings a tear to my eye ;" Ride their fathers magic carpet made of steel"!
One of the best songs ever written.
It's hard to grasp how I feel listening to this.
.. It connects me to the ground under my feet, the people around me, and the land I live in.
Don't keep your head down on your cellphone. This world still has a lot of beauty you'll miss out on.
My maternal great-grandfather, Clarence Scott, was train engineer for the Pennsylvania Railroad during the early 20th Century. In the video it was nice to see the train engineer driving the train; it gave me an idea what my grandfather did on the railroad.
Once more my heart sheds tears. But I am so happy with my memories. At 77 I am ready to finish this journey.
Thank you. May you and yours stay well and prosper.
My grandfather, William McGuire, was a cook on the Illinois Central Railroad. I remember meeting him on a trip to Birmingham with my mom and brothers. We got a chance to ride once again at his retirement from Memphis to Chicago! This song reminds me of that period - now, at 69, this makes so much sense... Thanks
My great grandfather was an engineer on the Illinois Central, he died on the locomotive in the 50's I carried on the tradition in the family on the railroad, thank you for this beautiful video, thank you so much for this beautiful song.
Wow! I guess I’m old for me it was my dad
I 81 and remember on the great great great great music and I grew up with. In my 20s I was a radio announcer and love the music that day later became a doctor and never lost my love for the music of the 50s 60s 70s and 80s
As a railroader and the son of a railroader, this tune hits home. Thanks
Arlo is my cousin. When I was 5 years old we went to a family reunion and he was there. I had no idea who he was but he and Daddy picked guitars and sang for hours. Arlos father, Woody wrote This land is your land. I guess my dad got his musical talent from them.
My late husband, Roy Freeman, was also related to the Guthrie family and had a beautiful voice he was very talented in so many ways. He lost most of his family to an inherited gene called Huntington's. I miss him very much. This is a wonderful video and thanks to ARLO and all who participated. The song is a National Treasure..
mslinda freeman sorry about your loss. My Dad has also passed. My dads mother was Woodys 1st cousin on her moms side.
Ty Jennifer for your kind words and very sorry to hear of your Fathers passing I hope it wasn't from the inherited disease Take care Jennifer and thanks again for your kindness
For the person who wrote the song is a national treasure, know that Good Morning America TV show took its name from it.
TY Ms. H good story.
I consider this the greatest folk song ever written. The great Steve Goodman.
I saw an interview with Steve Goodman about a year before he passed. He was A GREAT TALENT!
Awesome! I feel love and extreme nostalgia every time I hear this song!! Hip hip Hooray for Arlo Guthrie! Yes, I'm proud to say he's my native Son! Lol ..💖
This is part of my play list. Love it!!!!
Greatest train song ever.
Im 70 yrs old and I worked for the IC in early 70s in Chicago and I rode 3 round 5trips on the City Every time I hear it I remember and get a little sad My late wife made one of those trips with me and she always said it was one of the thrills of her life This video is beautifully done
Capps sounds co-incidentally like an English surname.
Great train, IC is greatly remembered by most. mostly by students on the "milk" run trains by SIU & U of I ...the Party Trains!!!
I'm 73yo and still remember my trip in a sleeper from NYC to CTI. So unfortunate that corporate greed and govt indifference conspired 2 shoot the passenger train.
Good memories though my friend. Take care.
Good tune,laid back and restful.......
I’m a conductor for CSX for the last 23 years. Love this song and how perfect this video is. Great job!
That's really cool I'm a big fan of trains model railroads and real ones ever since I was a kid 😉 I'm in Florida I remember when it was Seaboard coastline trains through here then CSX
I have a few vague memories of my maternal Grandfather (and some old photos) of him. He worked on the NKP for 41 years. I have a pic of him with me, as a toddler, on one of the last runs he made thru Lima, Ohio before retiring in 1959, as a conductor. Unfortunately, he passed a short time later of lung cancer (too many Chesterfields) before I ever had a chance to know him and hear his railroad stories. I would have loved to hear them.
What a work of Art (deco) this train is...sleek and beautiful!
Greetings from Australia
Happy New Year..❤
@@avengernemesis7990 Greetings from California USA
Happy New Year!
My Dad was over there Adelaide, Rockhampton getting patched up in the hospital there after the battle of Buna/ Sanananda Dec 1942✌️🇦🇺🇺🇸
Never tire of this classic... the wheels on the rails, like a lullaby.
I was rocked to sleep by Amtrak trains going cross country under the stars. thought of this song and you're exactly right. And a wonderful video.
If you ever road this train it is very special. Probably as a single mom. Best spo taneous trip ever. Mom son wanted to see snow. So from Louisiana I packed up for me, my daughter and son on January 15th to go to Chicago. Best trip ever. As the mom, I didn't have to drive. We arrived ready to go.
❤
When ever I have visited America I met the sweetest kindest hard working Christians on this planet❤❤❤.
Try meeting some non-christians---they are even better
When Arlo sang this song America was already truly great.
looks like no one is watching this lately xcept you. so i will post my comment here: Goddam awesome vid work so perfect. and i rode this train twice one way.
thanks, bro'.
And now it's going to hell! Shame.
You're oh so right!
@@xy23z5 : a real SHAME !
Except for the Pricks that spit on my fellow Soldiers who came back from Vietnam.
My dad worked for the Rock Island RR. We lived across a gravel road from the tracks and heard this rhythm of the wheels and the whistle blowing as it neared the crossing. When I hear this song I have to sing along, she'd a tear, and smile.
Thanks, Arlo.
My dad worked for the Rock Island too. He was a B and B Carpenter. Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific. Ain't many of us around anymore that remember the old Rock Island line.
My great grandfather did too. They lived in Orion, Illinois.
...this song is the same today as it was years ago..beautiful..
I am English and a 65 years old old-soldier and I have always loved this song and Arlo Guthrie does it proud but this is the first time I have ever seen it set to a video and that makes it just perfect,Thank you.Sean.
Will always love this song. I am from a railroad town called Las Vegas
M friend, her father worked on the City of New Orleans. They lived in Kankakee. Love this song. ♥️
I have always lived this song, also. I am 55 yrs old
It is beautiful
SEAN DOBSON - Greetings from across the pond. I'm of English descent; nice to meet you. Even though you were too young, as you well know, it was ENGLISH SOLDIERS who kept that maniac A.H. from spreading his evil. It is current military service men & women, like yourself, who maintain freedoms. THANK YOU!
Relevant song story: The writer, Steve Goodman, was playing the folk clubs of Chicago's Olde Town at the same time Arlo Guthrie was. Steve approached Arlo saying he had a train song he wanted him to hear. Arlo replied that, if Steve would buy him a beer, he'd listen as long as the beer lasted. The beer was duly purchased & the rest is music history. Best Wishes to you.
As someone who rode the passenger rails for over 30 years, may I salute Dave Goodman for writing the consummate railroad ballad, Arlo Guthrie for his perfect rendition and, especially, AK Dian for the stunning film accompaniment. Well done all!
Yes i can still remember all those years ago, 1963 late november traveling on this train from Baton Rouge to New Orleans , same time JFK was shot in Dallas, I turned 80 last month, and i like this song a lot, // Old good songs never dies..*
Greatest song to cry to, who doesnt have a touching memorie when they hear this.
l totally agree! l'm 75 and love that I can find the music from my youth on my phone! When l was 11 and started babysitting all my 25 cents an
to Columbia record club to have the folk music l loved sent to me!
Beautiful, haunting songs from my past, too many memories I need to forget,
My Dad was a railroad engineer for Detroit and Mackinac. I'm very proud of him. I now live near Chicago.
Guy Thomas Christopher was an Illinois Central Gulf Switch engine foreman and conductor and he said he helped Steve Goodman write this song.
The video of the Illinois Central trains is fantastic. This is a beautiful piece of work.
Thank you to all the railroad men and woman. My Uncle, Hank, was a railroad man for the Union Pacific Railroad. A Brakeman. He was so old. He may have fed the firebox with coal or firewood when they ran off of steam. Thank you America for all you have given us.
I am 69 years old, and i still watch trains
How are you? So sorry for the infringe on your privacy. Beautiful song
Me too!😀😀
I'm over 70 and don't wear a watch or have a smart phone. I live just across a swamp from the railroad and I measure time by the train whistle.
Hey!, I'm 78 and I still PLAY with trains. I am in California and have supervision via video. Courtesy of my six year old Grandson in Melbourne Australia.
Iam 70 still a foamer
Back when America had true soul, and the train offered the first trans-continental transportation to cover the vast landscape. Now it's all airports and TSA checkpoints. A beautiful and moving song, tribute and video. Thank you.
You said it in a wonderful way. I have lived through all you said, and it is very true.
When I was a kid growing up in Philadelphia, I loved watching the Pennsylvania Railroad passenger trains run the city.
And now that the PTC system is in place for all Amtrak trains, it should be safer, too.
Same for me 75 years later. Down in the valley aways from our house off Rt 128 was the big double line that eventually ran out throughhe Housic Tunnel. In the summer with the window open ( talking late 1940s early 50s) I would listen for the trains, the low rumble of a big freighter. Still a few steamers then. But I really liked the long drone of the big diesel horns working their way up the valley grade. Many ungated small road crossings back then
Well said, Gary...
I don't know why but this song is just so badass. The best version is the studio version by Arlo Guthrie. Steve Goodman did a good job writing the song too. It does something to the listener.
I agree
The Air Force stationed me at Chanute AFB (Rantoul, Illinois) for two years in the 70s, I always feel a connection to this song, its all good
Went to "A" school there in the "83 and always loved to see the Iliinois Central Central pass by the base during PT on Friday afternoons.
Best version of this song - Arlo's arrangement and voice works best, coupled with your visuals.
I was just a boy when I heard this song. Yes the days were hard but life was much simpler than today. Technology gave us convenience, but ugliness came with it.
Well put! I have ridden The City of New Orleans (Amtrak's version) several times. It is nice but doesn't compare with the original Illinois Central or yesteryears' rail travel.
There has always been ugliness as well as beauty in life. It was easier for people to ignore ugliness prior to 24/7 technology.
how so true!!!!!
@@amtrakbasketmaker6404 I just recently discovered videos made by riders on the Amtrak trains including the City of New Orleans. Coming into New Orleans the train runs parallel with Interstate 10 (?) which is elevated above the water for a good many miles. The last scene in this video shows that interstate.
@@sharonnelson3397 Mornin' I have riden the City several times mostly north from Fulton, KY. One trip was south to catch the Sunset Limited out of NOL but we were late and they bused us from McComb, MS to LaFayette, LA. The bus driver was a born and raised Cajun and kept us all in stitches. What a hoot! I remember we drove over the Huey P. Long bridge because it reminded me of my dad. Though he was born and raised in Boston he had a thing for the history of Huey P. Long's "career".
For five years I road the City of New Orleans, but in the opposite direction. What memories this magnificent video brings back. In the cavern of Central Station the conductor in his deep-throated sound of the deep South: Now departing on track number 9 the City of New Orleans, northbound for Dyersburg, Fulton, Cairo, Carbondale, Centralia, Effingham, Kankakee, sixty-eight street and the Chicago terminal. All aboard! God, the memories. The beer flew and the lies exaggerated our life.
This was a Steve Goodman song. I picked him up to take him home after his trip on The City of New Orleans which he had so anticipated for weeks. Driving toward Lake Michigan on Lakeshore Dr, he told us he had written a song while on that last run. He sang a couple verses and the chorus and asked us what we thought... 2 yrs later it was all over the radio with everyone thinking Arlo had written it. But I'll never forget Stevie in the backseat, with his bright eyes, singing that song he wrote while on that last voyage of the City of New Orleans. Memorable. RIP Steve and love to Nancy!
OMG. That is so INCREDIBLE!! You my friend were very blessed by knowing him I am 😃😊
I was real glad they gave a big credit to Steve with his picture at the end of this video. I first heard Steve in '73, and he of course played this and told the story of how Arlo came to play it. Steve was a great songwriter and performer whose life was cut way too short. Thanks for your wonderful story! RIP Steve Goodman! (Have you given up on politics?)
My Grandmother, Louise Wilhelmsen Hodges actually wrote most of this song long before she met Steve on the train. She worked as a telephone operator for the ICRR and rode the train every week from McComb MS to New Orleans and visited many other cities as well. The fare was free for her. Steve happened to hear her singing on the train, which she frequently did. She was a local New Orleans actress and singer/songwriter. He told her he was a songwriter and they sat together for a couple of hours and tweaked the lyrics. The melody was entirely hers and they collaborated on the lyrics. She had ridden the train for decades and knew the types of passengers, the locations, the mothers with their babes asleep, the rusted automobiles. Steve told her he believed the song would be a hit and asked her what type of compensation she wanted if it was recorded. Granny, who was nearly 70 years old at that time, said she needed no compensation other than to hear it on the radio. Steve had her sign a paper sating that she would be paid no compensation! Long story. There are more details, but she indeed started the whole mesmerizing song about the romance of riding the great City of New Orleans. There are details about her in the Railroad Museum in McComb, Mississippi!!!
I went to college with Steve. His live version is the best but this is very close.
What a beautiful recollection; possibly some luck, too , yes ?
SOME things in life should not be ALLOWED to become obsolete !
May, 2023; Many of us are coming back to LISTEN to that 'song that never dies!" Having been born in the city of Rock Island, when we used to sing this song, we'd substitute the city "Ke-Wan-ee" for Kankakee ha ha. We rode the Burlington back then, and had to drive to Galesburg to get it, to travel to California. Surely we, myself and some of my classmates from Moline High School sang this for hours, as one of our hootenanny favorites. (Jim Anderson? Where are you now ?) And Jack Petit, our class president DROVE us to Galesburg! Yes, the Rock Island Lines were a pretty good line , too! My grandfather was an engineer , I think on the Rock Island Lines---He' drove it from a little town titled " Barstow/or Joslin" guess they re-named it Like to know from an commenters, if they'd ever heard of that little country town, near Geneseo?
I used to have a "continual debate" with my college roommate who was a artist; The question, " Which lasts longer, a painting, or a song.?" I'm not sure to this day, who actually won the debate...but as we see painters and song-writers disappear, I think we have to admit, it' s THE SONG THAT LIVES ON.
We were trying to assemble a children's musical, wherein the main character, who jumps up on stage to play her little cello with "The First Four Presidents", and one of us gave dialogue to the little player; she says to Thomas Jefferson "I Can't play this music-it's too old!" Jefferson and Washington laugh at her and shout "Honey...music doesn't grow OLD! People do!
(Yes, it's a comedy!) but that line reminds me so much of THIS SONG!
RIP Arlo Guthrie-and Steve Goodman, and so many others!
Thank you so much for TRUTH in SONG!
LyndaFaye
"The Mississippi Valley Lady" the song and the musical.
"Friends, Love Songs and Hearthaches@Bandcamp.
LyndaFayeSmusic@Yahoo.
I’m in Australia and have only been on an American train once, in 2017. Washington DC to NYC. Loved it, loved the Red Caps. I’ve always loved this song, it captures the spirit of train travel perfectly. ❤
What a wonderful old song!
I saw that man give a history lecture disguised as a music show. He got the entire Seattle Opera House on their feet singing at the top of their lungs. Didn't matter who you were just that you sang your heart. The best concert i have ever been to.
Can't tell you how jealous I am! That's a memory you'll carry forever.
Arlo Guthrie or Steve Goodman?
Absolutely! I was fortunate to see him together with Pete Steger in the 80's at the UMASS performing arts center. Phenomenal. All ages and they pulled you in and embraced you with music that touched you and made you think.
Time it was, and, what a time it was......
This song is full of soul. A rare & transcendent musical piece.
I work for Amtrak Mechanical here in Chicago goin on 22yrs. & prior that had 6yrs. with BNSF Suburban. This song 🎶 warms my heart & yes I see the “City Of New Orleans” equipment everyday goin & comin from Union Station 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽 !!!
Sadly the days that this story refers to are gone forever, replaced by garbage! I know you'll all say I'm living in the past, but so what!??! There were some good days there, and you have to admit there aren't an awfully lot anymore. As maqny of us face the ends of our lives, these days will not exist anymore and that is such a shame!!
Would you have believed the world would change as much as it has in our lives?
We happily had a chance to see Arlo play this song in a small venue in Hartford years ago. He was terrific, singing, telling stories and jokes and letting us know he didn't initially want to record the song (!) -- and it became a big hit for him. Arlo's health is not good right now and he's cancelled his appearances, sorry to say. Let's all wish him well!
Hello Karla Ekquist-Lechner, This is my personal account where I get to talk with people I find interesting from my page, You drew my attention with your lovely comment!
Hope things are still well with him karla
not huntingtons, i hope
You could say Arlo Guthrie owns this one, as nobody quite gets it with the same feel. Love the imagery, lyrics, and melody. A great song indeed. Thanks for sharing.
Several years ago, I found a Steve Goodman version of the song performed live. As good as Steve's studio version and Arlo's cover are, this live version IMO really captured the spirit of the song. And yes, there have been so many horrible covers of 'City Of New Orleans' done over the years (at one point, it was almost obligatory for any artist who did railroad songs or folk ballads to cover this one) - like Johnny Cash singing 'And the graveyards Filled with rusted automobiles."
Johnny Cash did an excellent job .
Amtrak has resurrected 'The City of New Orleans'. They invited Mr. Guthrie on the first time it ran. He really enjoyed himself on the train ride, from what I heard.
Not sure why, but this song really hits me emotionally
I agree; there is a bit of melancholy in this song, as it takes me back to childhood. Growing up in the 50's, in the Bronx, we took trains (& subways) everywhere. Things were simpler, safer, more fun back then. Now it's a different world of high tech & high speed trains. A new rail story.
It's this guy writing the words. He a friend of John prine..his poetry paints lil pictures , they grip your dreams an nightmares...I forgot his name ,sad . Find his other tunes ,trust me
Gary Mingy Steve Goodman wrote the song I believe.
Ellen Civitello Yes, reminds of days gone by. Sometimes it makes me want to cry but also has such a happy beat. I wonder if Steve Goodman had grown up with his dad working for the railroad, because only someone close could of done such a superb job!😩
I'm not American ,but it gets me emotionally too. Guess its the old timer and old ways in me. Nearly 62
"And the sons of Pullman porters
And the sons of engineers
Ride their fathers' magic carpets
Made of steel"
Easily my favorite line of the song. There's just something so evocative about that last phrase.
They are truly magical, my friend.
@The Emmjay..."Magic carpet made of steel"...doesn't get more poetic than that, does it? :)
Yes. Really, this lovely song is a poem set to music. And the wonderful video makes it all the more evocative.
Steve Goodman approved. ; - )
Also give a thought to the men and women of yesteryear who kept lonely vigils in lineside towers and stations, lining up switches and signals and handling orders, Form A's, messages, and other communications that kept all the trains running.
I loved this song the first time I heard it as a teen. Now I'm hedging on 70 and this is still one of my favorite songs. Great music endures--and this is a great song.
Beautiful song accompanied by a beautiful film!!!That train livery was really something else!
As a young French immigrant to this country years ago, this was one of the songs that me dream about America ... it always made me feel good.
To those of you who have never taken an overnight trip on a cross-country passenger train, please try to do so, at least one time. "Riding the rails" is a unique experience that really can't be described in words. It must be experienced with ALL the senses, particularly with a friend, a family member, a lover, etc. Romance is indeed returning to the rails, and the best way to experience it is to just GO!
Today, except for private, themed specials and/or excursion land cruises, most cross-country passenger trains are operated by Amtrak, a railroad which was formed from the remains of aging, deteriorating passenger routes and dilapidated train sets. Whatever your opinion of Amtrak, it WAS instrumental in saving the passenger train from a painful and embarrassing death.
Amtrak does operate all of America's cross-country passenger routes today. But back in the day, it was not unusual for a particular train to be pulled by two, three, or in some cases, even four separate railroads! Amtrak has removed this practice, but the other experiences are still there. Regional railroads in some areas are operating their own excursion trains to take advantage of unique scenery or landscape, and a few operate special dinner trains.
We still have several legacy routes criss-crossing the country, albeit a few of them have different names now: Coast Starlight; Empire Builder; California Zephyr; Sunset Limited: Southwest Chief; Texas Eagle; Silver Star; Silver Meteor; the Auto Train; and a host of others whose names I can't remember. One day in the future, we may see the permanent end of railroad travel -- not too soon, I hope; already we almost saw it once, before the founding of Amtrak in 1971. Try taking a cross-country trip on the rails at least once in your lifetime. My two trips on the California Zephyr were unique experiences. Riding the rails is no longer about getting to a destination. The train itself, and the people who ride it, is the destination. It doesn't matter where you're going, it's how you get there that matters.
The airlines are for people who want to get from A to B as rapidly as possible. The passenger trains are for the rest of us, who want to get from A to B of course, but who also want to see all the points in between -- to watch the scenery roll by in the day coach or the observation car; make a new friend in the parlor car; share a meal in the dining car; and go to sleep to the gentle rocking of the sleeping car. When you wake up in the morning, you may have arrived at your destination, or perhaps you'll look out your window to a beautiful, sunny morning. It's an experience you can never hope to even imagine on an airliner!
So take that trip on a passenger train, what many people today refer to as a "cruise ship on rails." Even if you do it only once, you won't regret it, and you'll have some great stories to tell your grandchildren! 🚂🚃🚃🚃
I wish I had the opportunity (not to mention the money) to do just that. My parents and I rode the train from NY to FL back in 1959, but we slept in our seats. I was a teenager, angry at the entire world, and did not appreciate the trip. I would now.
Erzahler Early 70's, rode the SouthernRailway System original New Orleans-Washington "Southern Crescent" out of Atlanta.
Green, off white and gold E8 diesels (four of 'em, and a couple of them still in the SR black scheme) real china in dining car, a sleeper w/ shower and 15 cars long.
Now, THAT was a passenger train!
Ezrahler I travel long distance by Amtrak, I also travel on Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliners when I’m home in the San Diego area for up to a week. I ride from San Diego to Los Angeles & Oxnard alternating my visits between the 2 cities, it’s a very smart travel choice. My days of flying domestically are finished. The only way I’ll fly in the future is on Trans Pacific flights between Los Angeles & Manila on Philippine Airlines.
If you want to see some of these trains in action, might I recommend Timsvideochannel1. Recently Tim's channel did a video on the Dirango & Silverton narrow-gauge line. I'll look for it and I'll post the link here. Well worth a look!
Thanks for the awesome video...well done! I have done the sleeper experience a few times and I agree it is well worth the trip! I have rode The City of New Orleans, California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, Lake Shore Limited and Empire Builder. Can't wait to ride again!
THIS FILM AND THIS TRAIN IS SO LOADED WITH MEMORIES FOR ME, I CANT WATCH WITHOUT GETTING TEARY EYED. MY EXPERIENCE BEGAN AS A CHILD WATCHING THIS TRAIN FROM A WOODEN FOOTBRIDGE IN MATTOON ILLINOIS, AND VOWING TO RIDE IT AWAY FROM THAT GOD FORSAKEN TOWN TO THE BIG CITY.
Fabulous classic one that I grew up with.Now in my 70's still means the same to me. Love ❤️
Let's just give Steve Goodman a 'tip 'o the hat' for writing this!
Steve was a true man of Illinois and Chicago. Go Cubs Go!
Did you know John Denver tried to steal this song from Steve Goodman by taking credit for writing it on a Denver album. Arlo called him out on it ."What the fuck bro you did not write the song"
@@1-shotslinger108 The album is "Aerie", and it lists Steve Goodman as the writer on the vinyl LP. Also, Arlo Guthrie said "what the fuck bro"?
He died young, of leukemia, in 1984 at the age of 36. I probably walked by him on the street in my time on the North Side od Chicago. I grew up on the South Side, near the tracks, where I was part of the scenery as the train went by. The City of New Orleans. Also the Panama Limited.
@@patrickbogham3267 Do they still play the blues in Chicago, when baseball season rolls around?
This song reminds me of my former hometown of Kankakee,IL! As I was born there 65 years ago! Been there once in 2008 and the town's still there ; I didn't see nor hear the old train whistle though. Most folks I meet never heard of my hometown of Kankakee, Illinois, however; when I mention this 🎵 '-their eyes light up and they recognize the song immediately ! Thanks, TH-cam you made my day and an unknown town famous in this little song ditty !
Sadly you're more likely to hear gunshots there now. City of New Orleans crashed in Kankakee. It was terrible.
72 years old and this brings back a memory of my Dad and Uncle taking me from Champaign, Il to Chicago to see the Cubs (who were terrible then). I am pretty sure we went on the City of New Orleans. This was around 1961 I think. I remember the stop in Kankakee.
I saw arlo in Phoenix 50 years ago. Still the best concert I've seen.❤
my favorite line was; 'Obie? Did you think that I was going to hang myself for littering?'
I love this song… brings back memories