Perhaps it's nostalgia. Railroads united, settled the country and were the main mode of transportation for over 100 years. My grandfathers and great uncles were railroad men. I grew up living on the mail line of the Burlington Route (C,B&Q). As a child I can't remember anything appearing more powerful than a 4-8-4 steam locomotive pulling 100 cars roaring through a rural crossing with the whistle moaning it's approach. The only sound I ever experienced like the throbbing churning of a steam locomotive under load going through the station was in a submerged submarine being passed over by a destroyer making a mock depth charge run. I still have the Lionel electric train my grandfather gave me for Christmas in December 1941. Quite expensive at the time, he told my parents there was going to be a war and there wouldn't be anymore electric trains. It had been purchased before Pearl Harbor. For those of you who didn't have the experience, there's romance and excitement there. @Yvonne Smith, Thanks for the memory
Holly, thanks for including those videos of the "Old 97" disaster, but the reason I prefer Hank Snow's version is because his diction is more distinct and he has more sincerity for the history of the tragedy, which is truly a Hymn to traditional steam railroading. Lonny Donegan and The Seekers ruined the story with their insensitive, loud, uptempo performances, glossing over some important words, like "airbrakes" which was the reason for the tragedy. Johnny Cash's version was great, but I would like to have seen the Hank Snow and Boxcar Willy versions included, which had more feeling and sincerity, like a ballad. Thanks, Hal
I guess you know the story of this song written by Kelly Pace and first recorded by inmates of Arkansas prison. But did you know, the song was loved and recorded over here by Lonnie Donegan (he did have a hit with his version in America) Then - it caused such a stir here that the youngsters wanted to play instruments, but unable to afford them, took a washboard for percussion and created a bass from string pulled through a box. Both ideas made great worthwhile sounds, a guitar was added and the 'Skiffle' sound was born. Members of the Beatles (unknowns then) went to see Lonnie perform and were inspired to form a group - the rest is history - the 'new' sound gave the inspiration and aspiration to many famous groups of the 60s
Do any of you remember Stan Freberg's comic parody of this 1960's folk song? You can find it on YouTube. Would somebody please transfer this music file to the Forum? I can't do this anymore. Please do this for me...most of you would get a laugh from it... Thanks, Hal