The City Of New Orleans Arlo Guthrie cover

Steve Goodman wrote this in 1970. He wrote the lyrics on a sketch pad after his wife fell asleep on the Illinois Central train, where they were going to visit his wife's grandmother. Goodman wrote about what he saw looking out the windows of the train and playing cards in the club car. Everything in the song actually happened on the ride. After he returned home he heard the train was scheduled to be decommissioned do to lack of passengers. He was encouraged to use this song to save the train. He retouched the lyrics and released it on his first album in 1971.Guthrie's cover in 1972 popularized the song and brought attention to rail lines that were vanishing across middle America. Many people who lived in rural areas relied on them to travel.Goodman died September 20, 1984 at the age of 36 after a long battle with leukemia. Shortly after his death this won a Grammy in the category of best Country song, which Nelson had recorded and made a #1 Country smash the previous year. Requested by my FB friend Joy.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Steve
• Goodman
• Arlo
• Guthrie
• Woody
• The
• City
• Of
• New
• Orleans
• acoustic
• cover
• Guitar
• Stories

[1wiesehoefer1]

Hi Sherrill, excellent cover, its one of my all time favourites, remember me the hippie time in my youth when i heard this song many times with 15 years, long time ago, this is the mississippi version,lol, wish you a nice weekend, friedel

[sherrillwallace]

@1wiesehoefer1 Thanks Friedel. Yep, this is the Mississippi version for sure. This train has been going up and back as long as I can remember. Riding it is quite fun. Espically with my 9 yr old grandson. Wishing you a great weekend and a nice week. Sherrill

[rhopen]

Another one here, great old song and performance. -Ron

[sherrillwallace]

@rhopen Thanks again Ron. My grandson and I ride the City of New Orleans every summer. Americanan. Peace, Sherrill

[Cameragirl803]

Terrific job Sherill! Thanks for taking us back this morning! Always liked this song and you did a wonderful cover! *****

[sherrillwallace]

@Cameragirl803 Thanks for such a nice compliment. Hope you have a great 2012! Sherrill

[sherrillwallace]

@thomascow1 Thanks a million Thomas. Glad you had the time to listen. Peace, Sherrill

[thomascow1]

I love this well posted and beautiful graphics

 Great Post.*****Thumbs up

[sherrillwallace]

@theDUKE197908 Thanks Duke. Glad you liked this one. Its one of my favorites as well. My grandson and I ride every summer. Peace, Sherrill

[sherrillwallace]

@FolkAndMore Thanks Wolfgang for the nice compliment. Glad you liked this one. Peace, Sherrill