, you've see a modern parody of their approach. Casey said hey now look out ahead Advertising executive Bernard Russ Alben wrote the wildly popular jingle, basing it on "The Ballad of Casey Jones," a popular song about a real-life train engineer, Casey Jones, who died in 1900 saving people during a train collision. In case you wondered, Saunders never received a penny for his efforts. When we get a question about train songs, we post it there, so other people can see it and respond if they want to. Casey looked out the winder and upon his life, Eventually, however, the New Christy Minstrels were eclipsed by acts that put on a better show of authenticity and relevance. This phrase makes no sense to railroaders. Here comes Casey, and he's making up time. Casey died with a whistle in his hand. he's a good engineer to be a laying dead On many of these pages, I provide a link to an Amazon search page that you can use to find other performances of the song, but in this case, it doesn't work out very well. all the part of a railroad train But the night he died, he was driving a coworker's favorite Ten-Wheeler (4-6-0), number 382. Casey Jones song. He was a popular guy, well liked. Casey Jones, Casey Jones contact us. According to legend, Jones … High stepping on down the line. Back in 1964, it was fresh, something you couldn't really say about Wallace Saunder's poor, dog-eared "folk" version. Classic Train Songs(tm) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Or maybe there were insurance issues. Eventually the vaudeville team of T. Lawrence Seibert and Eddie Newton published their version, which they billed as a comedy song. In fact, it wasn't until I heard Johnny Cash sing it years later, that I realized it was about a real person's heroic death in what was once a romanticized and necessary but dangerous profession. Turns out that the song's popularity has caused a host of non-family-friendly offshoots, including a rock act with explicit lyrics as well as several rewrites of the song that involve drug smuggling, "scabbing" and other, er, non-railroading topics. They "juiced up" the comedy aspect by adding a verse about Casey's widow telling her children not to mind Casey's death, because they have "another papa on the Salt Lake Line." Number 638 began to growl like thunder. Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter came up with the line "Drivin' that train, high on cocaine, Casey Jones you'd better watch your speed," which he wrote down and put in his pocket. Casey Jones was responsible for the roughly 200-mile journey from Memphis to Canton, Mississippi. C F Trouble ahead, trouble behind, F C And you know that notion just crossed my mind. All rights reserved. If I ever stumble across the old LP, I'll check the liner notes for an update. Driving that train, high on cocaine, Casey jones is ready, watch your speed. taking a trip to the Promised Land If you've seen A Mighty Wind Song MeaningCasey Jones was the one of the worlds most famous train engineers.He ran the CannonBall Route between Chicagp and Memphis. He went to the door with his pecker in his hand, Says to the lady, "I'm a railroad man." - Also, since I first posted this page, some music or record company has had Johnny Cash's excellent versions of this song literally scrubbed from the Internet. Casey Jones leanin' out the window north Mississippi was wide awake the story about a brave engineer, Casey Jones was the roller's name contact me and I'll try to track them down. High stepping on down the line. he kissed his wife at the station door that the man at the throttle was Casey Jones Switchmans sleeping, train hundred and two is On the wrong track and headed for you. That line is not in all versions of the song, but curiously as a boy I had a children's record of train songs (Casey Jones, Jawn Henry, Rock Island Line, I've Been Working on the Railroad, etc) and on that record they included the "you got another pappa" line. And for anyone under eighty or over forty, when you think of the song "This Land is Your Land" the first version you hear in your head is probably their version. Where's Johnny? Casey Jones climbed in the cabin "The Ballad of Casey Jones", also known as "Casey Jones, the Brave Engineer" or simply "Casey Jones", is a traditional American folk song about railroad engineer Casey Jones and his death at the controls of the train he was driving. You could hear his whistle for a hundred miles, It's a manual signup, because it's the only way we can block hundreds of robospam attempts a week, so it may take us a couple days to get you signed in, but once you are in, you can post in any of the forums. The popularity of "The Ballad of Casey Jones" is an anomaly among railroad songs - it didn't start out by becoming spreading through the working and disadvantaged classes, then gradually creeping into public attention with the rise of Folk, Country, or (in England) Skiffle music, say, sung by "Boxcar Willie," or the "Singing Brakeman," or Hudie "Leadbelly" Ledbetter. Casey Jones orders in his hand To close out this year’s train song series, here’s a jaunty little song about the most well known train engineer in American History, Casey Jones (also known as “The Ballad of Casey Jones”). The song was written around 1900 by Wallace Saunders and Eddie Newton. And when one of the largest locomotives of its day jumps the track, even at an estimated 35 mph, you don't walk away. Note for 2014 - I've updated many things on this page, including adding the New Christy Minstrel's version of the song near the bottom. Casey Jones orders in his hand Casey Jones was a locomotive engineer who became a folk hero after his death in a train crash in 1900 was commemorated in a number of songs. The Song - Wallace Saunders, an African-American friend of Casey's who worked in the roundhouse, soon made up a song about the incident. Casey Jones leanin' out the window taking a trip to the Promised Land. He climbed in the cabin, with his orders in his hand So on this page, I've tried to add the best or at least the most interesting versions I could find. He was in the locomotive, too, and he had seen no fireman or heard no charges. After the accident, the railroad blamed Casey for ignoring warnings, including a flagman waving a lantern, and charges placed on the track which would have exploded, giving audible warning of the danger ahead. On a side track clear by the main "Casey Jones" is a song by the American rock band the Grateful Dead. Trouble with you is the … On the Memphis Cannonball All material, illustrations, and content of this web site is copyrighted © 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, Casey Jones leanin' out the window, taking a trip to the Promised Land In addition, the frames of the caboose and the first two freight cars (loaded with hay and corn respectively) were somewhat forgiving, further easing the effect of the impact. Casey Jones was a railroad engineer known for his speed who died in 1900, when he collided with another train. The Minstrels' performances were meticulously arranged, rehearsed, costumed, scripted, and even choreographed. In other words, they were more "musical theater" than "music group" in the contemporary folk or pop music sense. Casey Jones was a folk hero from Jackson, Tennessee, about whom songs have been written and TV shows produced. I couldn't … The night was dark, and from the yard blood was a boilin' in Casey's brain Chorus: Casey Jones climbed in the cabin Casey Jones orders in his hand Casey Jones leanin' out the window taking a trip to the Promised Land Headaches and heartaches and all kinds of pain all the part of a railroad train Sweat and toil the good and the grand part of the life of a railroad man Casey Jones climbed in the cabin Casey Jones orders in his hand Near Vaughan, Jones expected to pass a local train that was supposed to be on a siding, since the "New Orleans Special" had the right-of-way. The Ballad Of Casey Jones Lyrics: Come, all you rounders, if you want to hear / The story told of a brave engineer; / Casey Jones was the rounder’s name / A high right-wheeler of mighty fame.” It tells of how Jones and his fireman Sim Webb raced their locomotive to make up for lost time, but discovered another train ahead of them on the line, and how Jones remained on board to try to stop the train as Webb jumped to safety. Though Jones and his fireman Sim Webb left Memphis 95 minutes late, he was only five minutes behind as he approached Vaughan, Mississippi. Lyrics to 'Casey Jones' by Grateful Dead. He was a Tennessee mountain boy. Saunders' song got around and was apparently sung in several vaudeville shows. Click here to return to the Classic Train Songs page. If you want to sign up to add to the discussions, click: here. But unknown to Jones that night, there were two trains on the siding, and their combined length was too long for the siding. Well Jones said fireman now don't you fret, Sam Webb said we ain't a givin' up yet It is song number 3247 in the Roud Folk Song Index. And the drivers began to roll © 2021 METROLYRICS, A RED VENTURES COMPANY. And you can set your clock on Casey's whistle His balls were covered with the whorehouse itch. The sad part of this is that the purge removed several live performances that have never been available on any recording, and are never likely to be. Today’s post was written by Paul. The following are the lyrics. Driving that train High on cocaine Casey Jones you better watch your speed Trouble ahead, trouble behind And you know that notion just crossed my mind. The old wax cylinder recording by Billy Murray below shows a typical music hall treatment of the song. about this page or this site, please The studio recording is no longer available from Amazon, and countless YouTube videos have been taken down. The most often performed versions today resemble Seibert and Newton's version, although several folk singers, perhaps following a folk tradition observed by poet Carl Sandburg, tell the story to a modified tune with several verses "borrowed" from other, lesser-known railroad songs. and all kinds of pain The amazing thing is not that Casey died, or even that he died trying to stop the train, but that he slowed it down so much that none of his passengers were seriously injured, a remarkable feat of skill. And he hollered "Bless my Soul". Whatever else you get out of our pages, I hope you enjoy your music and figure out how to make enjoyable music for those around you as well. Casey Jones By John Garst "Casey Jones, the Brave Engineer," was published in 1909 by T. Lawrence Seibert (words) and Eddie Newton (music). 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 by Paul D. Race. Said this is the trip to the Promised Land There goes Casey, and he's making up time. Casey Jones--two locomotives That was intentional - Sparks wanted to put on an evening's entertainment patterned after the old-time ministrel shows without the Stephen Foster songs and Jim Crow humor. He was immortalized as an American folk hero with the release of … Rather it stormed the country's music halls, and was often as not performed by early 20th-century pop stars with an orchestra or an early jazz ensemble playing in the background. My guess is that somebody with money is planning to put out a new collection and they want to make certain that nothing even resembling a Johnny Cash version of Casey Jones is available anywhere. Singer-songwriter Randy Sparks wrote several such "reboots" for the New Christy Minstrels, a group he founded that had big pop radio hits with "Green Green," These are the words as far as I can make them out. For more information, please click here. Come all ye rounders, if you wanna hear A story about a brave engineer Casey Jones was the rounder's name On a big eight wheeler, he won his fame. Well, maybe two. Sparks' version of Casey Jones is an entirely different song from the folk version, but it's catchy and fun. This song is also known as "Ballad Of Casey Jones" or simply "Casey Jones". Casey Jones--going to bump A few folks actually sing it that way. Casey Jones, a Classic Train Song from Family Garden Trains™ "The Ballad of Casey Jones" was written about a real locomotive engineer, John Luther "Casey" Jones. Casey Jones, Casey Jones Casey Jones, also billed as The Ballad of Casey Jones or Casey Jones, the brave engineer, is an American folk song that deals with the story of Casey Jones, a railroad engineer, who died in his train wreck. Which is my way of saying, if you have a recording of Johnny Cash singing this song, guard it with your life. Jones pulled the train out … This is worth noting because the first printed version of the song calls Casey's locomotive a "six-eight wheeler." Of course, if you're signed up, you can post questions and replies yourself. And it's worth remembering that, when the Minstrels' version came out, the original "Casey Jones" song was being treated as a joke or children's song by everybody but folk musicians, and the folk musicians were ignoring it altogether. High stepping on down the line. He is leaning out of the window while the engine is … When he was 16 years old, Jones started working for railroads–first the Mobile & Ohio and later the Illinois Central. He drove the Illinois Central Line down in the cabin For questions, comments, suggestions, trouble reports, etc. NEW SONG: AC/DC - "Shot In The Dark" - LYRICS, HOT SONG: 21 Savage x Metro Boomin - "My Dawg​" - LYRICS, NEW SONG: Rod Wave - POP SMOKE - "MOOD SWINGS" ft. Lil Tjay - LYRICS, 23 Boy Band Slow Jams That Made You Believe In Love, NEW SONG: Shawn Mendes - "Wonder" - LYRICS, 23 One Hit Wonders You Still Can't Get Out Of Your Head. Hear a song about him. He was already well known among Mississippi railroaders for various exploits before he died in the famous train crash of April 30, 1900. John Luther Jones was a railroad engineer - train driver in English parlance - who was killed when his train the Cannonball Express crashed into a stalled freight train at Vaughan, Mississippi on April 30, 1900. And that's how Casey died. And the rain was falling down. But in their day, they had gold records and many months on the pop charts over a several year period. Casey Jones Lyrics: Driving that train, high on cocaine / Casey Jones you better, watch your speed / Trouble ahead, trouble behind / And you know that notion just crossed my mind / This old engine Casey Jones drives a train PHOTO: Casey Jones Home and Railroad Museum. "Casey Jones" by Randy Sparks, as performed by The New Christy Minstrels, I'll tell you a story all about John Luther, I was also able to find a copy of Seibert and Newton's sheet music, so if you want to download it click on the following links: page 1, page 2, and page 3. In 1964, I was twelve years old, and the original "Casey Jones" song had gone from vaudeville hit to lampoon version to children's song without ever being taken seriously - believe it or not - by the folk community. Way back in 1900, a fellow engineer called out sick. Fortunately for the passengers, Casey was able to slow the train dramatically before it struck. And he blew that whistle, Several "folk artists" of the early 1960s solved the problem by writing totally new versions of popular folk songs, versions that they would own from start to finish. jump Sam jump or we'll all be dead How could things get any better? But Sim Webb refuted that story. If you have a favorite version, or a favorite performer that I've left out, please My take is that someone on the IC had "dropped the ball," and it was easier to blame the victim than whoever had really caused the accident. You know it's: Dead on the rail was a passenger train The text, set to a sprightly tune, tells a story of the death of engineer Casey Jones in a train wreck. That train was longer than a hundred miles. You could hear his whistle for a hundred miles, And the old conductor set his head out the winder In fact, when I stumbled across it recently, I realized that I still remembered almost every word, guitar lick, and key change. Everybody knew by the engine's moan Though out of print, used copies are available on Amazon. The Theme Song segment from the Casey Jones Television show. Here comes Casey, and he's making up time. All is not lost, however, I just tracked down the source of one of my favorite Johnny Cash "Casey Jones" video - an old television special that was available on DVD for a while. The first version was published in 1902. How he come down here from Caycee town, [Verse 2] … In other words, a link to Amazon's Mp3 search page would not be family friendly. He didn't think of it as part of a song until he looked at it later and decided to complete the lyrics. The most famous train wreck in American folklore is, arguably, that of Casey Jones. The latter is normally called "The Ballad Of Casey Jones" in setlists. On the other hand, the song has certain suffered from overexposure - it's been bowdlerized, satirized, rewritten and (some would say) butchered more than all other railroad songs put together. But if you want the song to make sense to railroaders, you could sing "a big ten-wheeler." Casey Jones, Casey Jones You could hear his fireman call. The Wreck - Jones' final run occurred when he took over for a sick coworker, driving the llinois Central's "New Orleans Special" passenger train from Memphis toward Canton. Published: November 8, 2010. Here is the only known photo fo Casey Jones running a train. John Luther "Casey" Jones (March 14, 1863 – April 30, 1900) was an American railroader who was killed when his passenger train collided with a stalled freight train at Vaughan, Mississippi. He saw the cars of a big freight train. Headaches and heartaches Sweat and toil the good and the grand Casey Jones leanin' out the window on a 68 wheeler course he won his fame Casey Jones orders in his hand Back about 1964, Randy Sparks wrote a whole new song to celebrate this hero. We're eight hours late with the southbound mail, We'll be on time or we're leavin' the rails Anyone who’s heard the classic American song “ The Ballad of Casey Jones ” knows what happened next: Before dawn, near Vaughn, Miss., the train was … Casey took the route but now was nearly 1hr 45 minutes behind. So Randy Sparks' song, which was relatively lighthearted nevertheless seemed more like a song for adults than the original tune. You know it's gonna be a terrible ride. Porter called Casey about half past four Kissed his wife at the station door Climb to the cab with his orders in his hand Casey Jones climbed in the cabin High stepping all over this land. Copyright: Writer(s): Johnny R. Cash Lyrics Terms of Use, Come all you rounders if you wanna hear I learned this version of the song from the amazing Jim Glaser. And he laid on the brake, Switchman's sleeping, train Hundred and Two Is on the wrong track and headed for you Driving that train, high on cocaine Casey Jones you'd better watch your speed Trouble ahead, trouble behind And you know that notion just crossed my mind Trouble with you is the … Soon tall tales began to be told about the speedy and heroic Casey, and it wasn’t long before he entered the realm of American myth. Tom Rush's version below is an example of that tradition. You could hear his whistle for a hundred miles, Well, the Joneses pride and joy. Click here to return to the Classic Train Songs page. "Casey Jones" is a song by the American rock band the Grateful Dead.The music was written by Jerry Garcia, and the lyrics are by Robert Hunter.Hunter stated in a 2015 interview with Rolling Stone that "Casey Jones" didn't start out as a song, it just suddenly popped into my mind: "driving that train, high on cocaine, Casey Jones, you better watch your speed." [Chorus] C F Driving that train, high on cocaine, F C Casey Jones you better watch your speed. Casey Jones, Casey Jones Well he climbed aboard at the Memphis Station, Unfortunately for Casey, the next car was loaded with lumber and far less forgiving. Well he told his fireman if he don't jump Also, if you don't see the link for a particular song, hit refresh - it seems like Amazon can never populate all of the links at the same time. part of the life of a railroad man “Casey Jones” is one of the band’s classic story songs, and it utilizes a classic American folk hero as its subject—AND it is about a train. The music was written by Jerry Garcia, and the lyrics are by Robert Hunter. Casey Jones--two locomotives Casey Jones climbed in the cabin, Casey Jones orders in his hand Remember, this was before steel-framed coaches. Through South Memphis Yards on a fly, rain been a fallin' and the water was high Caller called Casey bout half past four Read about the most famous locomotive engineer of all time. "Saturday Night," ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. taking a trip to the Promised Land I swear it's: To modern ears, some of the old Minstrel tracks sound more like the Lawrence Welk singers with banjos than a legitimate folk group. Casey Jones climbed in the cabin The cover calls it the "Greatest Comedy Hit in Years" and "The Only Comedy Railroad Song."