Riffin' on Freight Train - Elizabeth Cotton

I added an intro to this classic song, which for many fingerpickers is their first. There is a bit of improvisation in there as well. This one is great for getting people in a good mood, which is quite ironic if you listen to the lyrics...

Freight train, freight train, run so fast
Freight train, freight train, run so fast
Please don't tell what train I'm on
They won't know what route I'm going

When I'm dead and in my grave
No more good times here I crave
Place the stones at my head and feet
And tell them all I've gone to sleep

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

When I die, oh bury me deep
Down at the end of old Chestnut Street
Place the stones at my head and feet
And tell them all I've gone to sleep

Freight train, freight train, run so fast
Freight train, freight train, run so fast
Please don't tell what train I'm on
They won't know what route I'm going

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Fingerpicking
• Fingerstyle
• thumbpicking
• acoustic
• guitar
• Atkins
• Travis
• Emmanuel

[M55ikael]

Yeah, I find the contrast between the lyrics and the mood of the C major musicality quite enthralling. Maybe she's trying to say that 'dying ain't all that bad'?

[zacharron]

Good call. It's bittersweet in any case.

[louisvillejohn]

Man! That's one of the best versions of Freight Train I've ever heard.  No kiddin'!! Spectacular.

[zacharron]

Thanks much!

[bgcharron]

This is definetly a feel good song, so I like it alot. Good job.

Would love to "hear" the lyrics!

[zacharron]

Lyrics added to the description above!

[blackieja]

Thanks for writing out the words could you also put down the chords to the song as I'm a beginner teaching myself to play the guitar. Thanks in advance

[tazzarman]

Super cool man

[2000mlauri]

Wahnsinn, echt gute Version!

[sometimessadandlost]

wauw

[molliescoots]

wow that was awesome

[pacificlnd]

Suh-weeeettttt!!!!

[ferfried6]

Die beste Version die ich je

gehört habe . Beneidenswert !!!

[s6824s]

WOW!!!!