Play a train song! I recently got to spend some time shooting along a disused and apparently abandoned railroad. As I was editing the photos the words from the song that gives this post it's title came to me and then I just had to do a post on train songs. This first tune is by Todd Snider, of Beer Run fame.
Train, Train, where did you go? As a kid I was a bit fascinated by trains and this tune by Blackfoot was the first train song that I can recall listening to. Much like the tracks where I shot these photos, the trains don't run anymore where I grew up.
For sure The L&N Don't Stop Here Anymore. With King Coal in danger of being forced to abdicate it's hardly surprising but that's little comfort to the communities dealing with the consequences of that. This song was written by Jean Ritchie, a woman from a wide spot in the road know as Viper just a hop, skip, and a jump from where I grew up (well, about 60 miles). The video I linked to has Billy Bragg and Joe Henry covering her tune.
If the train not stopping gets you down, just wait until you have to sit and listen to the Midnight Train To Memphis. Hard to beat a couple Kentucky boys rocking out on SNL though. I may not be the most impartial judge however. That's Chris Stapleton with an uncredited Sturgill Simpson playing and singing along with him.
Can't hardly talk about train songs without going for a ride on the Midnight Special. Leadbelly may not have written this tune but his version of it is what comes to mind when I think of train songs.
Here in the US the railroads are dying a slow death but from the looks of it they are flourishing in other countries. How's things in your neck of the woods? I'm taking a train to DC later this month, really looking forward to taking lots of photos of the adventure. Should probably make a train song playlist for it...
Anybody got a train song or two to add to the list?
