About The Song
It was written by Steve Goodman in the sixties and Arlo Guthrie had a big pop hit with it in the seventies. Then Willie Nelson made it a country smash in the eighties.
Goodman wrote the song as he rode a train cross country, inspired by the sights he saw out of the window. Nelson’s definitive reading of the classic composition makes it an early Americana standard in the most literal sense, though the strength of its melody must also be noted. which has led to many international versions of the song with newly written lyrics.
Willie Nelson is one of the few men left who can ask, “Good morning, America. How are ya?” and get an enthusiastic answer from every American, regardless of their backgrounds and beliefs. He sang this song at the peak of his popularity, when he could be found on half the radio stations in every market.
Radio may not play him anymore, but he remains a unifying figure with as wide an appeal as ever. This year alone, he’ll go into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame while promoting the first bluegrass album of his career. America is everything, everywhere, all at once, as “City of New Orleans” captures so beautifully. And it doesn’t get much more American than Willie Nelson.
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 and 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 and 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
Nighttime on the city of New Orleans
Changin’ cars in Memphis, Tennessee
Halfway home, we’ll be there by mornin’
Thru the Mississippi darkness rollin’ down to the sea
But the towns & people seem to fade into a bad dream
And the steel rail still ain’t heard the news
Conductor sings your songs again
The passengers will please refrain
This train has got the disappearing 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
I’ll be gone 500 miles when the day is done
I’ll be gone 500 miles when the day is done