Classic Railroad Songs, Vol. 3: Night Train

Leadbelly adapted Rock Island line in the 1940's, most notably adding the discussion about pig iron and livestock. Others including Johnny Cash and Lonnie Donegan covered his version in the 1950's and beyond. However, the version here, by Linda Tillery and the cultural heritage choir, is more faithful to the song as it existed before Leadbelly made the changes that we now tend to assume were always there.

The version of Mystery train here is by Little Esther (actually Esther Phillips) and the robins. Esther had a top ten American hit in the sixties with Release me, a song which was originally a country hit for Ray Price but which is now associated with Engelbert Humperdinck. Esther does a superb job on Mystery Train.

A high standard is maintained throughout this set, beginning with Louis Jordan's classic rendition of Choo choo ch' boogie. Other train classics can be found here, including Trouble in mind and Boogie-woogie choo choo train.


Looking for help finding words to an old train song.   February 3, 1999
 1 out of 4 found this review helpful

I am looking for the words to a song my father use to sing to my sister and I 45 years ago. I believe the title might be "Pulling Old #9". The words started "O n a cold winters night, not a start was in sight and the north wind came howing down the line. There stood a brave engineer with his sweetheart so dear and his orders to pull old #9. I know this is not a review but can you or someone help me find this song? Thank you very much. Earle Putnam