About the song
“City of New Orleans” as interpreted by The Highwaymen is a poignant and evocative rendition of a folk-country classic. Originally written by Steve Goodman and famously performed by Arlo Guthrie, The Highwaymen’s version, released in 1990, brings a unique blend of their individual vocal styles and a collective sense of nostalgia to this timeless song.
The song’s lyrics, rich in imagery and emotion, tell the story of a train journey from Chicago to New Orleans. The train, a symbol of a bygone era, carries passengers from all walks of life, each with their own stories and dreams. The Highwaymen’s vocal delivery, marked by its raw emotion and conversational phrasing, transforms the song into a personal reflection on the changing face of America.
The Highwaymen’s vocal styles, while distinct, blend seamlessly in this collaboration. Each member of the group—Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson—brings their own unique vocal timbre and interpretive style to the song, creating a rich and layered tapestry of sound. They don’t just sing the lyrics; they embody them, conveying the nostalgia and melancholy of the narrative with a palpable sense of sincerity.
The song’s arrangement, typically gentle and flowing, allows the vocals and the narrative to take center stage. The gentle acoustic guitar, harmonica, and subtle rhythm section create a sense of intimacy and reflection, mirroring the song’s theme of a journey through time and memory.
“City of New Orleans” in The Highwaymen’s hands, becomes more than just a folk-country song; it’s a nostalgic journey, a reflection on the changing landscape of America and the enduring power of human connection. It’s a testament to their collective artistry and their ability to breathe new life into a timeless classic.
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
