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9 months ago
Lyrics of City of New Orleans by Arlo Guthrie
verse
Riding on the City of New Orleans
Illinois Central, Monday morning rail
15 cars and 15 restless riders
Three conductors and 25 sacks of mail
pre-chorus
All along the southbound odyssey
The train pulls out at Kankakee
Rolls along past houses, farms and fields
Passing trains that have no names
Freight yards full of old black men
And the graveyards of the rusted automobiles
chorus
Good morning, America, how are you?
Say, don′t you know me? I'm your native son
I′m the train they call the City of New Orleans
I'll be gone 500 miles when the day is done
verse
Dealin' card games with the old men in the club car
Penny a point ain′t no one keepin′ score
Pass the paper bag that holds the bottle
Feel the wheels rumblin' ′neath the floor
pre-chorus
And the sons of Pullman porters
And the sons of engineers
Ride their father's magic carpets made of steel
Mothers with their babes asleep
Are rockin′ to the gentle beat
And the rhythm of the rails is all they feel
chorus
Good morning, America, how are you?
Say, don't you know me? I′m your native son
I'm the train they call the City of New Orleans
I'll be gone 500 miles when the day is done
verse
Nighttime on the City of New Orleans
Changing cars in Memphis, Tennessee
Halfway home and we′ll be there by morning
Through the Mississippi, darkness rolling down to the sea
pre-chorus
But all the towns and people seem
To fade into a bad dream
And the steel rail still ain′t heard the news
The conductor sings his songs again
The passengers will please refrain
This train got the disappearing railroad blues
chorus
Good night, America, how are you?
Say, don't you know me? I′m your native son
I'm the train they call the City of New Orleans
I′ll be gone 500 miles when the day is done
Writer(s): Steve Goodman
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Meaning
The song 'City of New Orleans' by Arlo Guthrie paints a vivid picture of a train journey from Chicago to New Orleans, symbolizing the passage of time and the changing landscapes of life. Through the train's stops and encounters, it reflects on the fading of memories and the transient nature of existence, capturing a sense of nostalgia and the bittersweet journey of life.
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Themes
Nostalgia and memory
• Good morning, America, how are you?
• I'm your native son
• But all the towns and people seem to fade into a bad dream
Journey and travel
• Riding on the City of New Orleans
• The train pulls out at Kankakee
• I'll be gone 500 miles when the day is done
Community and connection
• Mothers with their babes asleep
• Dealin' card games with the old men in the club car
• And the sons of Pullman porters
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Moods
Nostalgia, reflection, adventure, joy, despair
Rating: G
Lyrics are child-friendly and safe for all!
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Contributions
Last edit 9 months ago
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Live in Sydney
Album • 2005 • 25 tracks
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