Some songs have a way of transcending generations, capturing the essence of a place or a moment in history. “City of New Orleans” is one of those rare gems. Written by Steve Goodman and popularized by Arlo Guthrie, this classic folk tune takes us on a nostalgic journey aboard a train that’s more than just a mode of transportation—it’s a symbol of Americana itself.
What makes “City of New Orleans” so special is how it blends vivid storytelling with a haunting melody. The song paints a picture of a long train ride from Chicago to New Orleans, filled with colorful characters and fleeting landscapes. As the train rolls down the tracks, we see glimpses of rural life—the farmhouses, the fields, the weary passengers nodding off to sleep. There’s a rhythm in the lyrics that matches the steady clatter of train wheels, and it almost feels like we’re right there, watching the world pass by through a dusty window.
But it’s not just a song about travel; it’s a song about change. Written in the early 1970s, “City of New Orleans” reflects a time when train travel was slowly being overshadowed by cars and airplanes. The lyrics speak to a sense of loss, a longing for the days when trains were a lifeline connecting cities and people. There’s a bittersweet quality to the refrain—“Good morning, America, how are you?”—as if asking whether the country still remembers its roots.
For many listeners, “City of New Orleans” feels like a love letter to a bygone era. Yet, it’s more than just a look back—it’s a reminder of how much our world can change in just a few decades. The song’s beauty lies in its ability to be both specific and universal. Whether you’ve ever ridden a train or not, you can feel the sadness of things passing and the hope of what’s yet to come.
Performed by countless artists over the years, including Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash, each rendition of the song brings a new layer of emotion. Some emphasize its melancholy, others its hopefulness. But no matter who’s singing it, the essence of “City of New Orleans” remains the same—a poignant, heartfelt reflection on time, travel, and the people we meet along the way
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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 & 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 & 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
Night time on the City of New Orleans
Changin’ cars in Memphis, Tennessee
Halfway home, we’ll be there by mornin’
Through the Mississippi darkness rollin’ down to the sea
But all the towns & people seem to fade into a bad dream
And the steel rail still ain’t heard the news
The conductor sings his song again
“The passengers will please refrain,
This train has got the disappearin’ 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