The train has been an important figure in American culture since its invention. Through the train, the vast wilderness of the American frontier was populated, and the relative speedy transport of people became possible. It is no wonder, then, that the train consistently appears in American Folk songs.
Why Are Trains So Popular in American Song?
For much of the 19th century, and in the 20th century until the rise of the Interstate, trains were the primary means of long distance travel in America (see Railroad history below). As such, trains and railroads were (and are) associated with comings and goings, hellos and goodbyes.
There is an old adage among writers that there are two types of stories, a person goes on a journey and a stranger comes to town. In the case of the train, this metaphor is a vehicle (no pun intended) for both types of stories.
In addition the train would have been a symbol of wonder to 19th century Americans, most of whom were farmers (according to the Franklin Humanities Institute) and would have never seen a machine of that magnitude. This could explain the vast amount of songs glorifying the train, well known folk songs such as:
- City of New Orleans
- Orange Blossom Special
- Wabash Cannonball
Trains as a Love and Sexual Metaphor
The sexual connotations of the train is fairly obvious. Few things are a phallic as a train, and the image of a train going into a tunnel is dripping with sexuality. Michelle Shocked uses this metaphor in her song “If Love Was a Train.” “If love was a train I think I’d ride me a slow one/ One that would ride through the night.”
Even in other genres this metaphor exists, such as in Quad City DJ’s song “C’Mon ‘N Ride It (The Train)” “I wanna take you home with me, to be alone with me/ And I can see you wanna hide it, come on, just divide it/ And please don't knock it, until you ride it”
Trains are often the villain in love songs, with the lost love taking a train out of town, or the spurned lover leaving in pain. There are many songs where this happens, such as:
- How Long Blues
- Night Train
- Blue Train
- Cannonball Blues
Trains as a Spiritual Metaphor In Folk Songs
In American culture, the train and railroad have also taken on spiritual symbolism. Because the train often takes people away, the railroad is often interpreted as or associated with death.
Perhaps the most famous example of trains being associated with death is the Elizabeth Cotten song “Freight Train” Which has been recorded by everyone from Chet Atkins to Pete Seeger. “When I die/ oh bury me deep/ Down at the end of old Chestnut street/ So I can hear old Number Nine/ as she comes rolling by.”
In many folk songs, the train is seen as method of God taking his followers up to Heaven. This is evident in the well known spiritual “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” where the modern and more familiar interpretation of a chariot is a train.
The folk song “This Train,” popularized by Woody Guthrie (his autobiography is taken from a line in this song) is another example of the railroad equating to Heaven‘s chariot. “this train is bound for glory, this train/ . . . This train is bound for glory/ don’t carry nothin’ but the righteous and the holy.”
Train Songs Carry American Culture
So much of American culture and history rides along the train, it is not surprising that there are so many songs about the railroad. The many different kinds of train songs--comic, tragic, and others-- only reinforce the breadth and depth of American culture.
References
american-rails.com/railroad-history.html Railroad History
fhi.duke.edu/2009/04/five-farms-stories-from-american-farm-families-mon-april-27-2009/ Franklin Humanites Farm Stories
woodyguthrie.org/Lyrics/This_Train_Is_Bound_For_Glory.htm “This Train” Lyrics
lyricsmania.com/lyrics/michelle_shocked_lyrics_30041/other_lyrics_60526/if_love_was_a_train_lyrics_608050.html “If Love Was a Train” Lyrics
lyricsdepot.com/quad-city-djs/cmon-n-ride-it-the-train.html “C’mon Ride It (The Train)” Lyrics
