About the song
“City of New Orleans” paints a vivid picture of a train journey from Chicago to New Orleans, capturing the essence of travel, nostalgia, and the passage of time. Steve Goodman’s evocative lyrics beautifully describe the sights and emotions experienced along the route, making the train itself a central character in the song’s narrative.
The song first gained widespread recognition through Arlo Guthrie’s 1972 cover, which reached number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The Highwaymen’s rendition, infused with their distinct vocal harmonies and individual styles, revitalized the song for a new audience while paying homage to its folk roots.
The album “Highwayman 2” received critical acclaim and further solidified The Highwaymen’s status as a supergroup. Their collaborative effort showcased not only their musical camaraderie but also their ability to reinterpret classics with their signature blend of country, folk, and Americana influences.
“City of New Orleans” remains a timeless piece in The Highwaymen’s repertoire, celebrated for its storytelling prowess and the group’s seamless harmonies. Its enduring popularity highlights the universal appeal of Goodman’s lyrics and the song’s ability to evoke a sense of wanderlust and reflection.
In essence, “City of New Orleans” by The Highwaymen stands as a testament to the group’s collective talent and the enduring power of storytelling in music. It continues to resonate with listeners, serving as a poignant reminder of the beauty found in both the journey and the destinations we encounter along the way.
Video
Lyrics
Ridin’ on the City of New Orleans
Illinois Central, Monday mornin’ rail
15 cars and 15 restless riders
Three conductors, 25 sacks of mail
All along the southbound odyssey the train pulls out of Kankakee
Rolls along past houses, farms & fields
Passin’ graves that have no name, freight yards full of old black men
And the graveyards of rusted automobiles
Good mornin’ America, how are you?
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
Dealin’ cards 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
And feel the wheels grumblin’ neath the floor
And the sons of Pullman porters & the sons of engineers
Ride their fathers’ magic carpet made of steel
Mothers with their babes asleep, rockin’ to the gentle beat
And the rhythm of the rails is all they feel
Good mornin’ America, how are you?
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
Night time on the City of New Orleans
Changin’ cars in Memphis, Tennessee
Halfway home, we’ll be there by mornin’
Through the Mississippi darkness rollin’ down to the sea
But all the towns & people seem to fade into a bad dream
And the steel rail still ain’t heard the news
The conductor sings his song again
“The passengers will please refrain,
This train has got the disappearin’ railroad blues
Good mornin’ America, how are you?
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