City of New Orleans

City of New Orleans Lyrics

Ridin' on the City of New Orleans

Illinois Central Monday mornin' rail

There's 15 cars, and 15 restless riders

3 conductors and 25 sacks of mail

All along a southbound oddeusy

And the train pulls out of Kankakee

And rolls along past the houses, farms and feilds

Passin' trains that have no names

And freightyards full of old black men

The grave yards of the rusted automobiles

Singin' good mornin' America, how are you?

Sayin' 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, aint no one keepin' score

Pass the paper bag that holds the bottle.

Feel the wheels a rumblin' through the floor.

And the son's of Pullman Porter's and the son's of engineers

Ride their father's magic carpet made of steel

And mothers with their fantasies, a rockin' to the gentle breeze

And the rythym of the rail is all they feel

Singin' good mornin' America, how are you?

Sayin' don't you know me I'm your native son.

Yes, I'm the train they call the City of New Orleans

I'll be gone 500 miles when they day is done.

But its twilight on the City of New Orleans.

Changing cars in Memphis, Tennesee

Half way home, and we'll be there by mornin'

Through the Mississippi darkness rolling down to the sea

But all the towns and people seem

To fade into a bad dream

And the steel rails still ain't heard the news

The conductor sings hius song again

The passengers will pleaseain

This train has got the disapearing blues

Singin' good morning America, how are you?

Sayin' 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.